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Newbury:Evictions Finally End
2 April 1996
Third Battle of newbury: DAY 85 NEWBURY: EVICTIONS FINALLY END
The eviction of protesters camped on the route of the Newbury Bypass has finally ended. The last occupied tree was cleared of protesters - including a pantomime cow - at Castle Wood at 11.10am, and felled, nearly five weeks after evictions started on Thursday 29 February.
Friends of the Earth regards the campaign to date as a major success and will continue to battle against the road. A complaint against the British government under European environmental law is still being considered by the European Commission whilst the discovery of rare snails along the route offers the prospect of further delaying or even halting the scheme.Contractors tendering for the bypass contract remain under intense public pressure not to accept.
768 arrests have so far been made since work started on the bypass in early January - almost all have been for non-violent offences such as obstructing the Sheriff or aggravated trespass. Wide public support for the protesters has been achieved in the face of irresponsible and untrue claims by politicians that the campaign against the road has been violent.
Tony Juniper, Deputy Campaign's Director, of Friends of the Earth said:
"Considering the massive resources that the Government has been able to throw at the Newbury Bypass, it was inevitable that sooner or later that the route would be cleared of trees. But the Department of Transport has paid a huge political price. Its policies have been exposed as outdated and ineffective whilst the road is widely seen as unnecessary and a waste of money. Time will tell who really won this historic struggle".
ENDS Note: There were over 30 camps along the route of the Newbury bypass.Protesters voluntarily left two camps - Middle Oak and Mary Hare - after it was agreed that the trees there would not be felled.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2008
