Council’s green policies contradicted by actions

Gordon Moffatt is spot-on in his heartfelt protest at the theft of part of Langley Memorial Park and the destruction of trees and bushes, to create a four-lane highway through Langley (Viewpoint, March 12). I pointed out in an Express letter last year (September 27) that the pretext for this work was the dubious assumption that a western rail extension to Heathrow would be built one day.

The so-called public consultation was a farce, as the few people who knew about it and took part were told that the work would proceed whatever they said.

Slough Council had government money for road building, so they were proceeding on their destructive way, regardless.

As Mr Moffatt writes, the council’s claim to green policies (including a superficial commitment to zero carbon emissions by 2030), is constantly contradicted by their actions.

What is the point of the great treeplanting project they have promoted when they are simultaneously cutting down existing tree cover?

However this kind of hypocrisy is occurring at all levels of government.

In Chalvey the trees and bushes along the bank beside the M4, which screened adjacent dwellings and children’s playgrounds from pollution, has been needlessly destroyed during the Highways Agency’s ‘smart motorway’ work, letting more poisonous fumes filter into children’s lungs along the route.

We citizens unfortunately have no power over the actions of remote bodies like the Highways Agency, but we can at least hold Slough Council to account in the forthcoming local elections, by supporting parties and individuals who genuinely recognise the environmental crisis facing our planet and work seriously for policies to address the issues.

JOHN WILDING East Berkshire Green Party (Slough Branch)