Michael Dnes
@roadscholar.bsky.social
Head of transport policy at Stonehaven consulting. Ex-civil servant who used to play with roads, trains, e-scooters, parking apps and a lot of government plumbing. May have made your driving test harder, and threw some cones in your way at least once
And the way you make that happen is you email [email protected] .
Normally, these consultations get a few hundred respondents. More people will read this thread and its friends.
Let’s make the M25 ugly again.
Normally, these consultations get a few hundred respondents. More people will read this thread and its friends.
Let’s make the M25 ugly again.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
And the way you make that happen is you email [email protected] .
Normally, these consultations get a few hundred respondents. More people will read this thread and its friends.
Let’s make the M25 ugly again.
Normally, these consultations get a few hundred respondents. More people will read this thread and its friends.
Let’s make the M25 ugly again.
2) Actually review the impact of the motorway. And where land is no longer beautiful, free it up for development.
Because it includes places that are half-way between Heathrow and Gatwick. Vacant fields that would make great European headquarters for global companies.
Because it includes places that are half-way between Heathrow and Gatwick. Vacant fields that would make great European headquarters for global companies.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
2) Actually review the impact of the motorway. And where land is no longer beautiful, free it up for development.
Because it includes places that are half-way between Heathrow and Gatwick. Vacant fields that would make great European headquarters for global companies.
Because it includes places that are half-way between Heathrow and Gatwick. Vacant fields that would make great European headquarters for global companies.
I’d politely suggest she send it back, and ask for two things before saying yes:
1) No new AONB designation within 500m of a train station, so the government policy of ‘yes’ really means yes.
1) No new AONB designation within 500m of a train station, so the government policy of ‘yes’ really means yes.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
I’d politely suggest she send it back, and ask for two things before saying yes:
1) No new AONB designation within 500m of a train station, so the government policy of ‘yes’ really means yes.
1) No new AONB designation within 500m of a train station, so the government policy of ‘yes’ really means yes.
Fortunately, there is one person who can change this – Emma Reynolds, the Defra secretary of state.
There is one last consultation, and in January she gets to decide whether or not to sign off Natural England’s plan.
She’s within her rights to say ‘try again’.
There is one last consultation, and in January she gets to decide whether or not to sign off Natural England’s plan.
She’s within her rights to say ‘try again’.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Fortunately, there is one person who can change this – Emma Reynolds, the Defra secretary of state.
There is one last consultation, and in January she gets to decide whether or not to sign off Natural England’s plan.
She’s within her rights to say ‘try again’.
There is one last consultation, and in January she gets to decide whether or not to sign off Natural England’s plan.
She’s within her rights to say ‘try again’.
Otherwise, you end up with the Orwellian situation of designating a motorway for natural beauty, while also saying they’re unthinkable desecration.
And if you do that, you’re not the kind of person who should be standing in the way of the govt’s housing plans.
And if you do that, you’re not the kind of person who should be standing in the way of the govt’s housing plans.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Otherwise, you end up with the Orwellian situation of designating a motorway for natural beauty, while also saying they’re unthinkable desecration.
And if you do that, you’re not the kind of person who should be standing in the way of the govt’s housing plans.
And if you do that, you’re not the kind of person who should be standing in the way of the govt’s housing plans.
I don’t want to come across as hostile to the environment. I get the case for protecting good landscapes.
There’s an argument you shouldn’t have a motorway in an AONB. There’s also an argument that you could.
But you have to pick one.
There’s an argument you shouldn’t have a motorway in an AONB. There’s also an argument that you could.
But you have to pick one.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
I don’t want to come across as hostile to the environment. I get the case for protecting good landscapes.
There’s an argument you shouldn’t have a motorway in an AONB. There’s also an argument that you could.
But you have to pick one.
There’s an argument you shouldn’t have a motorway in an AONB. There’s also an argument that you could.
But you have to pick one.
That’s right. We’re going to designate huge areas as beautiful and protected. But we will give nothing back. Even if it has a motorway in the middle of it.
Like any true romance, the M25 only grows more beautiful with age.
Like any true romance, the M25 only grows more beautiful with age.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
That’s right. We’re going to designate huge areas as beautiful and protected. But we will give nothing back. Even if it has a motorway in the middle of it.
Like any true romance, the M25 only grows more beautiful with age.
Like any true romance, the M25 only grows more beautiful with age.
But this isn’t just a local problem. It goes back to the core of the review.
Because when Natural England started out on project to reassess the natural beauty of this area they set a very important rule.
We’re going to ignore the motorways.
Because when Natural England started out on project to reassess the natural beauty of this area they set a very important rule.
We’re going to ignore the motorways.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
But this isn’t just a local problem. It goes back to the core of the review.
Because when Natural England started out on project to reassess the natural beauty of this area they set a very important rule.
We’re going to ignore the motorways.
Because when Natural England started out on project to reassess the natural beauty of this area they set a very important rule.
We’re going to ignore the motorways.
There _is_ an oblique reference in a section marked ‘marginal areas’ that accepts existing transport infrastructure “may undermine perceptions of tranquillity”.
Which, on balance, I would agree with.
Which, on balance, I would agree with.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
There _is_ an oblique reference in a section marked ‘marginal areas’ that accepts existing transport infrastructure “may undermine perceptions of tranquillity”.
Which, on balance, I would agree with.
Which, on balance, I would agree with.
And if that report says it’s beautiful, it’s in.
Though, oddly, this report misses the fact that they are designating an 8-lane motorway.
Which I take to be a triumph of good highway design.
Though, oddly, this report misses the fact that they are designating an 8-lane motorway.
Which I take to be a triumph of good highway design.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
And if that report says it’s beautiful, it’s in.
Though, oddly, this report misses the fact that they are designating an 8-lane motorway.
Which I take to be a triumph of good highway design.
Though, oddly, this report misses the fact that they are designating an 8-lane motorway.
Which I take to be a triumph of good highway design.
You might ask, how did they justify that?
Well, to create an AONB you have to prove the land is beautiful. And, unsurprisingly, there is a requirement for much paperwork
They send out a consultant who judges the beauty of the area, and writes a report
Well, to create an AONB you have to prove the land is beautiful. And, unsurprisingly, there is a requirement for much paperwork
They send out a consultant who judges the beauty of the area, and writes a report
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
You might ask, how did they justify that?
Well, to create an AONB you have to prove the land is beautiful. And, unsurprisingly, there is a requirement for much paperwork
They send out a consultant who judges the beauty of the area, and writes a report
Well, to create an AONB you have to prove the land is beautiful. And, unsurprisingly, there is a requirement for much paperwork
They send out a consultant who judges the beauty of the area, and writes a report
This bit kind of has to be in. Because without taking a chunk of M25, the AONB cannot acquire a 7 sq mile area to the south.
So we’re going to overlook that motorway.
So we’re going to overlook that motorway.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
This bit kind of has to be in. Because without taking a chunk of M25, the AONB cannot acquire a 7 sq mile area to the south.
So we’re going to overlook that motorway.
So we’re going to overlook that motorway.
To be fair, there are already motorways in AONBs. Sizeable chunks of the M4 go through protected landscapes.
But the M25 is a bit extreme. It’s not so much that the motorway goes through the AONB; more like the AONB is retraining as a hard shoulder
But the M25 is a bit extreme. It’s not so much that the motorway goes through the AONB; more like the AONB is retraining as a hard shoulder
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
To be fair, there are already motorways in AONBs. Sizeable chunks of the M4 go through protected landscapes.
But the M25 is a bit extreme. It’s not so much that the motorway goes through the AONB; more like the AONB is retraining as a hard shoulder
But the M25 is a bit extreme. It’s not so much that the motorway goes through the AONB; more like the AONB is retraining as a hard shoulder
This is the stretch in question.
It’s a winter shot, so it doesn’t really do justice. In Spring, I imagine the blossom on the trees beautifully complements the bright orange of the emergency refuge area.
It’s a winter shot, so it doesn’t really do justice. In Spring, I imagine the blossom on the trees beautifully complements the bright orange of the emergency refuge area.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
This is the stretch in question.
It’s a winter shot, so it doesn’t really do justice. In Spring, I imagine the blossom on the trees beautifully complements the bright orange of the emergency refuge area.
It’s a winter shot, so it doesn’t really do justice. In Spring, I imagine the blossom on the trees beautifully complements the bright orange of the emergency refuge area.
Not many people think of the M25 as an example of outstanding natural beauty. But actually, from junctions 3-8 it almost all AONB. See the s*b***k for why.
But there’s a gap. And this expansion fixes that.
But there’s a gap. And this expansion fixes that.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Not many people think of the M25 as an example of outstanding natural beauty. But actually, from junctions 3-8 it almost all AONB. See the s*b***k for why.
But there’s a gap. And this expansion fixes that.
But there’s a gap. And this expansion fixes that.
Please don’t get me wrong – there are good reasons to protect beautiful landscapes.
But it does pose the question ‘what is beauty?’
And in this particular situation, we also have to ask ‘and why does Natural England think the answer is ‘the M25’’?
But it does pose the question ‘what is beauty?’
And in this particular situation, we also have to ask ‘and why does Natural England think the answer is ‘the M25’’?
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Please don’t get me wrong – there are good reasons to protect beautiful landscapes.
But it does pose the question ‘what is beauty?’
And in this particular situation, we also have to ask ‘and why does Natural England think the answer is ‘the M25’’?
But it does pose the question ‘what is beauty?’
And in this particular situation, we also have to ask ‘and why does Natural England think the answer is ‘the M25’’?
You might ask whether a general election, a change of government and a substantially different set of policy objectives might prompt a rethink.
Evidently not. Because they published the final plans 72 hours after the train station announcement
Evidently not. Because they published the final plans 72 hours after the train station announcement
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
You might ask whether a general election, a change of government and a substantially different set of policy objectives might prompt a rethink.
Evidently not. Because they published the final plans 72 hours after the train station announcement
Evidently not. Because they published the final plans 72 hours after the train station announcement
You might think that this seems at odds with the policies of this government – given they wish for 1.5 million homes, and do not consider green belt to be sacred.
And you would be right. Because this policy was started in 2021, under the last government.
And you would be right. Because this policy was started in 2021, under the last government.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
You might think that this seems at odds with the policies of this government – given they wish for 1.5 million homes, and do not consider green belt to be sacred.
And you would be right. Because this policy was started in 2021, under the last government.
And you would be right. Because this policy was started in 2021, under the last government.
Nor is it alone. I see similar stories at Oxted and Chipstead, Coulsdon, Betchworth and Ockley. In Dorking, next to the industrial estate. In Milford, next to the solar farm.
I’m sure I’ve missed others.
I’m sure I’ve missed others.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Nor is it alone. I see similar stories at Oxted and Chipstead, Coulsdon, Betchworth and Ockley. In Dorking, next to the industrial estate. In Milford, next to the solar farm.
I’m sure I’ve missed others.
I’m sure I’ve missed others.
Take Woldingham for example – currently on the boundary of the AONB (dark green), soon to be fully encircled (light green).
The station has a train every 30 minutes to London Victoria.
The red line shows the land govt wants to unlock.
The station has a train every 30 minutes to London Victoria.
The red line shows the land govt wants to unlock.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Take Woldingham for example – currently on the boundary of the AONB (dark green), soon to be fully encircled (light green).
The station has a train every 30 minutes to London Victoria.
The red line shows the land govt wants to unlock.
The station has a train every 30 minutes to London Victoria.
The red line shows the land govt wants to unlock.
And around London, Natural England is consulting on taking the AONB nearest to London – Surrey Hills – and expanding it.
Which means that there are quite a few train stations around London, in open fields, where development will shortly be made extremely difficult.
Which means that there are quite a few train stations around London, in open fields, where development will shortly be made extremely difficult.
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
And around London, Natural England is consulting on taking the AONB nearest to London – Surrey Hills – and expanding it.
Which means that there are quite a few train stations around London, in open fields, where development will shortly be made extremely difficult.
Which means that there are quite a few train stations around London, in open fields, where development will shortly be made extremely difficult.
The government calls this a ‘default yes’. But there are things that will turn this into a default no
One of those things is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB/National Landscape). Planning policy says building here should be avoided if possible – which seems reasonable
One of those things is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB/National Landscape). Planning policy says building here should be avoided if possible – which seems reasonable
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The government calls this a ‘default yes’. But there are things that will turn this into a default no
One of those things is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB/National Landscape). Planning policy says building here should be avoided if possible – which seems reasonable
One of those things is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB/National Landscape). Planning policy says building here should be avoided if possible – which seems reasonable
Part of government’s plan to get houses built involves allowing more building near train stations.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
It’s a big YIMBY cause worldwide to make it easier to build homes near train stations, so the people living there can get to work without driving.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
It’s a big YIMBY cause worldwide to make it easier to build homes near train stations, so the people living there can get to work without driving.
Housebuilding around train stations will be given default “yes”
Housebuilding near well-connected train stations will receive a default “yes” in future if they meet certain rules, ensuring more homes are built
www.gov.uk
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Part of government’s plan to get houses built involves allowing more building near train stations.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
It’s a big YIMBY cause worldwide to make it easier to build homes near train stations, so the people living there can get to work without driving.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
It’s a big YIMBY cause worldwide to make it easier to build homes near train stations, so the people living there can get to work without driving.
Whenever I write one of these, I make sure there are footnotes. You can find them over on the substack, plus some extra detail on how this all came about
michaeldnes1.substack.com/p/motorway-o...
michaeldnes1.substack.com/p/motorway-o...
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Whenever I write one of these, I make sure there are footnotes. You can find them over on the substack, plus some extra detail on how this all came about
michaeldnes1.substack.com/p/motorway-o...
michaeldnes1.substack.com/p/motorway-o...