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Poland halts wetlands road plan | Poland halts wetlands road plan |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski has said planned work on a road through one of Europe's last remaining wetlands will not go ahead. | Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski has said planned work on a road through one of Europe's last remaining wetlands will not go ahead. |
Earlier, Poland said construction work on a bypass through the environmentally protected Rospuda river valley would start on Wednesday. | Earlier, Poland said construction work on a bypass through the environmentally protected Rospuda river valley would start on Wednesday. |
But the prime minister changed his mind after the EU applied for an immediate injunction to stop the work. | But the prime minister changed his mind after the EU applied for an immediate injunction to stop the work. |
The valley is home to rare plants as well as wolves and eagles. | The valley is home to rare plants as well as wolves and eagles. |
Speaking on Polish public radio, Mr Kaczynski said his government had failed to convince the European Commission and it was now time to show a certain restraint. | Speaking on Polish public radio, Mr Kaczynski said his government had failed to convince the European Commission and it was now time to show a certain restraint. |
The valley is also protected under the EU's Natura 2000 conservation scheme. | The valley is also protected under the EU's Natura 2000 conservation scheme. |
Peaceful protest | Peaceful protest |
The government wants to build an elevated highway right through the valley to ease traffic in the nearby town of Augustow. | The government wants to build an elevated highway right through the valley to ease traffic in the nearby town of Augustow. |
The town lies on the main route from Poland to the Baltic states and thousands of heavy goods lorries pass through it every day. | The town lies on the main route from Poland to the Baltic states and thousands of heavy goods lorries pass through it every day. |
Hundreds of people from the town spent the whole night blocking the road in a peaceful protest. | Hundreds of people from the town spent the whole night blocking the road in a peaceful protest. |
They want the bypass built as quickly as possible, even if that means routing it through the valley. | They want the bypass built as quickly as possible, even if that means routing it through the valley. |
Until now, the government has argued that an alternative route suggested by environmental conservation groups would take too long to build. | Until now, the government has argued that an alternative route suggested by environmental conservation groups would take too long to build. |
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