More Quarries = More Lorries = More Roads...

In the Gwenlais valley near Ammanford in South Wales, McAlpine aim to open a 500 acre quarry. This will destroy the ancient and beautiful Carmel Woods, last resting place of the legendary Owain Llawgoch. It will also destroy Britain's only turlough (ephemeral lake) at Pantllyn; despite both Carmel Woods and Pantllyn having SSSI status. 2/3 of the stone quarried will be used for road building. The device being used to obtain permission for this brutal thuggery and go against the public enquiry's rejection of McAlpine's plans is an Interim Development Order (IDO). These were issued immediately after WW2 in order to "get the country back on its feet". Because IDOs predate wildlife protection legislation these laws are invalid. The successful use of an IDO could set a horrific precedent.

CONTACT: Campaign for the Protection of the Gwenlais Valley, Bryn Llinos, Carmel, Llanelli, Dyfed SA14 7TP

Meanwhile in the Mendips, Somerset (Western Europe's most heavily quarried area) ARC, Wimpey, ECC and Foster Yeoman produce 10 million tonnes of stone each year at giveaway prices. Much of this stone is used for (surprise!) ROAD BUILDING. The quarry industry aims to expand the destruction and are attempting to use IDOs here. The plans also include the construction of the Bulls Green link road, which they are attempting to disguise as a "quarry lorry bypass". This road will significantly aid the expansion of quarrying in the Mendips. CONTACT: Somer Valley FOE, 10-12 Picton St., Bristol BS6 5QA. Avon Gorge EF! are planning a quarry action in May, 0374 953160.

A snippet of good news is that one of Clay Colliery Company’s opencast plans has been rejected by Dyfed County Council. Contact: Wales Against Opencast, 11 Park Av., Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan. Leeds EF! are planning an anti-opencast mining action, near Leeds, in mid May and require other groups to get involved. (0113) 262 9365.

With areas like South Wales, The Mendips, Yorkshire Dales and the Scottish Coast threatened we need to take action NOW to stop today's version of the Coal Barons. Whatever they dig, we can fill in again (preferably with bastards like McAlpine at the bottom!).