More than 100 residents of Wing and Leighton-Linslade were joined by Andrew Selous MP and local councillors this weekend to send a clear message to Buckinghamshire County Council that they must not, at this last minute, break the promise to provide safe crossings for pedestrians, cyclists and horseriders by building a bridge to link Wing and Linslade over the new bypass at Wing Hill roundabout.

The highly successful launch of the Bridge Campaign saw young and old alike take to their bikes and walking shoes to encircle the Wing Hill roundabout. The protestors were addressed by Andrew Selous, MP for South West Bedfordshire, who said that the bypass without the bridge would sever the communities of Wing and Linslade. He emphasised the importance of providing viable alternatives to car use, including safe pedestrian and cycle routes, to address climate change issues.

Buckingham MP, John Bercow, who is giving his full support to the campaign, sent a message of support saying "It is essential to ensure that future generations are able to cycle and walk between the two settlements, as they have done for hundreds of years."

Campaigners say that this highly encouraging start to the Bridge Campaign will be followed by a meeting to bring together all parties to hammer out a solution to the dangers posed by the new junction to pedestrians and cyclists.

Wing resident and protest organiser Seán Kelly says "The huge turnout yesterday gives us a fantastic mandate to take our demands for a Bridge to the highest levels at Bucks County Council. I'm asking all Wing residents to write expressing their strong support for this campaign to our County Councillor, Quintin Ings-Chambers. I want to thank all residents and the local MPs and Councillors for their tremendous support, and I promise now that this campaign will only cease when we achieve a safe pedestrian and cycling route between Wing and Leighton Buzzard."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. The protest took place at the Wing Hill junction of the A505 and A418, between Wing and Leighton Buzzard, on Saturday 21 April 2007.
2. Protest organisers counted 102 attendees.
3. For further information please contact Sean Kelly on 07768 481944. email sean@caluse.net