The Horton-cum-Studley Expressway Group, a non-political community has been started to fight the proposed Oxford to Cambridge Expressway that threatens to cross the unique wetlands of Otmoor and the ancient forest of Bernwood, destroying the environment and its inhabitants.
The group aim to bring awareness raising and supporting the Save Otmoor campaign by launching a petition with the reasons given below.
Otmoor is a unique and beautiful habitat of rare wetland and grazing floodplain,1000 acres of nature reserve that is home to over sixty protected species.
Just 50 miles from the urban sprawl of London, Otmoor is a conservation area the government’s own laws were designed to protect.
Now the government threatens to build a motorway here that would engulf this sanctuary.
One of the proposed routes would cut across miles of Green Belt land, passing through ancient woodlands on its way to Otmoor.
Because the government has turned down our demands for a Public Enquiry, the decision will now be made behind closed doors.
Please sign this petition to demand protection for this national treasure and save Otmoor for future generations.
What is Otmoor?
Otmoor is a large area of wetland located in the north of Oxfordshire, England. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including birds, mammals, amphibians, and plants.
The area is largely low-lying, with a network of drainage ditches and wet meadows, and is a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers. It is also an important site for conservation, as it provides a vital habitat for many species of birds and other wildlife.
The area has a long history and is mentioned in the Domesday Book as “Otmore”, and is believed to have been the site of a major battle between the kings of Mercia and Wessex in the 9th century. Otmoor has been an important part of the local landscape for centuries, and remains an important site for nature conservation today.
In recent years, a number of conservation projects have been undertaken, including the establishment of a new nature reserve and the re-introduction of species such as the white-clawed crayfish.
These projects have helped to maintain the diversity of wildlife in the area, and ensure that the area remains a haven for wildlife in the future.
