6th May 2007: Northern Route support- a major factor in Council Leader's downfall.

Lancaster City Council leader Ian Barker was dramatically ousted from his Bulk Ward seat in Thursday's local elections. His support for unpopular schemes like the Northern Route Link road and the plan for the Canal Corridor was undoubtedly the major factor in his downfall in the local elections, says TSLM.

“We have long known from our campaigning that the Northern Route is detested by most local voters, and Lancaster’s traffic congestion is not helped by either scheme,” said David Gate. “TSLM is not a political organisation, but our supporters are voters, and they are not going to stand for the destruction of the district by a massive road that only increases traffic. The Northern Route has backfired on the Council leader, and has been shown to be a massive vote loser.

"The councillors who listened to the people and opposed this unpopular road - the Independents and the Greens - have seen their vote increase. Those who ignored the people have lost seats. Surely it's time for Lancaster City Councillors to follow local MP Geraldine Smith and ditch this unpopular and underperforming scheme."