Solsbury Hill

So far, after 2 months, Amey have barely been able to construct their compound or access routes. In a 2-month period, Amey have carried out just 1 month’s work. They are still not even in possession of most of the fields they plan to destroy, some of them are still being held by locals who refuse to accept the compulsory purchase orders. Most of the areas threatened by the road remain intact.

The office is still in the garden at 37 Bailbrook Lane, where the DoT has used dirty tricks to try to get rid of protesters. Eviction notices for an entirely different (unoccupied) piece of land have been used. Contractors intend to put a cutting through the garden, but this camp is still safe. The main bender camp has moved further up the hill onto common land. Avon County Council have now demanded that all road construction should stop and a public inquiry opened. This is due to an increase in public awareness, newly-published proof that the ‘bypasses’ are part of a euro-corridor, and claims that the roads will push Bath City Air pollution above EC regulatory levels - making the roads illegal.

Reliance Security have been breaking limbs, bruising and groping women and stamping on 10 yr olds. What is particularly reassuring is that there has been none of this disgusting bias normally exhibited. No, the orders have obviously come in: “remove all people from the site, BY WHAT EVER MEANS NECESSARY”.

So, not just those with dreadlocks receive the attention. Admirably they attack everyone. One has a severely broken foot, a photographer with a thick lip and a bleeding nose. So, please show your appreciation at this wonderful display of breaking down the class barrier.

Also reassuring is the presence of what appears to be a private detective agency on the site. The occupants of a new white unmarked Landrover has been videoing people on the hill. It might be illuminating to reveal the mentality we have to deal with. Whilst one protester was in hospital he was talking to someone whose son had been in Group 4 at Twyford, and learnt that many of these thugs were joining up for the sole purpose of ‘hippie bashing’.

Bath EF! says: “Why not move down to the beautiful south-west, bender and squat accommodation provided. People are always welcome at the Action camps, especially anybody with useful campaign skills - office and action skills. Bring what you hope to find - e.g.. D-locks, arm tubes, etc.”

Whitecroft Site

On Friday 10th (our national day of action) at 5am, fifty police, fifty security guards and two bailiffs moved in to evict Whitecroft, an eight acre area of broadleaf woodland. Trees at Whitecroft and Sally Woods were chainsawed. Arrests included the local farrier from the farm opposite Whitecroft, accused of head butting a security guard!

Both woods were home to owls, bats, an historical well and springs that feed in to the famous hot springs of Bath. Many badly injured birds were on the woodland floor, protesters were stopped from saving them. Later the debris was set alight, endangering tree occupiers and local residents with the toxic fumes from plastic, asbestos etc.

Twelve people remained up trees in hammocks, trees connected by high tension wire cable. In fact, more people were occupying the trees by the time the eviction finished than at the beginning of the day! The tree sitters are still there - about thirty trees are still defended at Whitecroft. Security have tried each day to get diggers and cranes into the area but it is barricaded and they have been turned back every day by protesters.