Newbury Actions

Numbers resisting the construction of the Newbury Bypass have dwindled with thirty people having now been injuncted off the route. More positively it looks increasingly likely that the presence of a very well defended tree and tunnel camp on a private access route at Spiritual Roots, Snelsmore Common, may save the mature oaks there, as an alternative route is being examined.

Costain are in the stock market doldrums yet again, with their shares voluntarily suspended for the second time this year, pending the sale of their US coal interests. Let’s hope that their troubles never cease.

On January 9-10th there will be a National Day of Action celebrating the anniversary of the first week of direct action last year where contractors were stopped in their tracks by dedicated and effective action. After a year of direct action against the bypass it is time people regrouped to show that their work can still be stopped.

The Newbury campaign has inevitably got smaller in it’s second phase, but what has happened here remains one of the most significant campaigns of co-ordinated direct action this country has ever seen. It’s high media profile and wide reaching support exposed lots of people to direct action and saw hundreds of previously only armchair supporters stand up and help resist the destruction. Now more than ever it is important to maintain this momentum so whether you were there during Phase 1, but particularly if you weren’t, go down to Newbury for these two days of action to show our collective strength again. For more details contact The Third Battle of Newbury on: 01635 45544.