Roads, Runways and Resistance: From the Newbury Bypass to Extinction Rebellion

Roads,Runways, and Resistance is a book about the history of transport protests in Britain, from the anti-roads protests of the 1990s to HS2 and Extinction Rebellion. It tells the story of transport ministers undermined by their own Prime Ministers, protestors attacked or supported by the police, and smartly-dressed protestors who found a way onto the roof of the Houses of Parliament.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 20 January 2021
Publisher: Pluto Press

Understanding our own history is crucial as a movement for social change. This captivating read delves into the profound impact of conflict and protest on the politics of transport. From the anti-roads protests of the 1990s to the HS2 and Extinction Rebellion movements, these events have shaped the landscape of transportation policy. In 1989, Margaret Thatcher's government unveiled the largest road-building program since the Roman era, setting the stage for a tumultuous thirty-year journey.

Roads, Runways, and Resistance is an in-depth exploration of this era, drawing on over 50 interviews with government ministers, advisors, and protestors, including prominent figures such as Swampy, who speak candidly about the events they describe for the first time. The book sheds light on the complex dynamics that unfolded, revealing how transport ministers were often undermined by their own Prime Ministers, protestors faced attacks or quiet support from the police, and even smartly-dressed protestors managed to gain access to the roof of the Houses of Parliament.

Today, as a new wave of road building and airport expansion threatens to bust Britain's carbon budgets and exacerbate climate change, climate change protestors find themselves on a collision course with the government. Melia poses thought-provoking questions about the past protests' impact and the potential consequences of today's protest movements on the future of transportation. This book serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the complex interplay between social movements, politics, and the environment.

Weight: 276g
Dimension: 135 x 215 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780745340593