Protest Camp News

Birmingham Northern Relief Road. 'The Spinney' camp at Milestone Plantation on the proposed route of the Birmingham Northern Relief Road is no more. On the 18th of June police arrived at the camp with search warrants, told the occupants of the site that they were trespassing and gave them one hour to leave or be arrested. There were only two people at the camp, others having gone to London for the June 18th protests, both of whom left the camp to get their dogs to safety. The police then made a bonfire out of equipment belonging to the protesters.

Six people went on to establish a new camp at Brick Lane Covet . Sadly they only lasted for 3 days and nights before police, accompanied by the landowner, turned up and threatened to arrest everyone if they did not leave. The occupants left and were then searched in connection with criminal damage (in the form of a hole in the ground!) at the Spinney. Contact 07931 161 761.

Avon Ring Road. The campaign against the Avon Ring Road has started petitioning against plans for infill development since 'just concentrating on the road has alienated a lot of people and is not the whole issue'. Direct action was taken against the road last Spring in the form of 7 people locking on to a digger, 6 of whom were arrested, with 1 woman doing a week in prison as a result. The protest camp was evicted in June but more direct action looks likely in the very near future and more bodies are, as ever, needed for this. Contact 0797 999 0389.

A170 Bypass. Gorse Wood camp exists to resist construction of the bypass, planned to run from Chelmsford towards Southend. A public meeting is scheduled for the 20th of August and a route walk for the 19th of September. Contact 07957 915 977.

Hockley Housing. A new camp has been set up against the proposed construction of 66 luxury homes on 11 acres of ex-greenbelt land at Hockley near Southend. The site is next to a designated wildlife area. People are desperately needed, as is equipment for the camp. Contact: 01702 206181.