M66, Greater Manchester

The M66 extension intends to link the M62 at Middleton to the M63 near Stockport creating a motorway ring around Manchester. The route is directly through the narrow band of greenery between east Manchester and its surrounding towns. There are presently 3 sites occupied on the route in Daisy Nook Valley. The contract for the section of road threatening Daisy Nook has been deferred until next spring, so the campaign has even more time to mushroom.

On a recent action, the keys to a digger 'went missing'. Police arrested 3 people for stopping construction work, under anti trade union laws. As soon as they were gone, the keys reappeared and work continued. Protesters attempting to stop the digger were assaulted but, unlike the keys, the police failed to reappear.

Local residents have formed the basis of the campaign, but they need help ... tree-sitters and squat-barricaders are needed now. They also need tarpaulins, ropes, CB radios, photocopying & money. Everyone can help. There is a public meeting about the road at Ashton-under-Lyne town hall on Tuesday 24th October, 7.30 pm. There will also be a party & direct action bonanza at Hallowe’en, info: 0161 628 4727 / 0161 627 4862.