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Sheriff's men move on Newbury Green Defenders
29 February 1996
The eviction of protesters camped in the path of the proposed Newbury bypass started in pre-dawn raids today. Bailiffs acting on behalf of the Under Sheriff of Berkshire, moved into "Pixie" camp on Snelsmore Common Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The Sheriff's men have been backed by hundreds of security guards and police.
There are now over 20 protester's camps built in the path of the controversial road. Most of the camps have been established to defend the many sites of recognised heritage importance that will be damaged by the road. These include the three SSSIs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the habitat of the protected Dormouse and about a dozen archaeological sites.
Tony Juniper, Deputy Campaigns Director of Friends of the Earth said:
"Whilst the Sheriff today has the law on his side, history will show that the protester's had moral authority and public opinion on their's. Hardly a single politician has spoken out against this road, even though millions of taxpayers believe that it should not be built. Thank goodness there are still individuals brave enough to stand up for what they believe is right."
Jill Eisele, spokesperson for the local Third Battle of Newbury protest group said:
"As a long-standing local resident, it makes me sad that such brave people can be so brutally treated when they are standing in the way of such massive environmental vandalism. The people of Newbury will be out in force to defend their friends in the trees".
The bypass has been widely exposed as highly destructive, unpopular and ultimately a waste of time and money. It will only shorten most through journeys by 2 minutes and provide relief from traffic congestion on the existing main road for as little as five years.
ENDS
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2008
