Banner protest against mining plan
Saturday 6th March 2010, 12:30PM GMT.
The banner against new coal mining in Telford
Campaigners protesting against mining in a Shropshire area of outstanding natural beauty erected a protest banner in Telford on Saturday.
The group, which has not been given a name, was out on bridges across Telford with a large banner displaying its message of “No New Coal”.
Their campaign is over a decision made by the Secretary of State to mine coal at Huntington Lane, near Lawley, Telford.
The group says the 230 acre site on the Shropshire Hills is an area of outstanding natural beauty and should not be touched, despite diggers already appearing on site.
For the full story see Monday’s Shropshire Star.
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Well thats a nice banner to enhance the area of outstanding beauty.
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At least some still have the cochons for a fight.
UKraine Coal were told publically at the Inquiry that it wasnt over till the fat lady sang – and she hasnt sung yet.
Gaining permission from a Government rotten to the core doesnt mean that they will get the Coal out quickly, or within their deadline of 44 months (as they have cut down numerous mature trees, calimed by them to be immature ), the clock is now ticking as work has begun….
Watch this space.
Magister.
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I don’t get this, when i was a teenager i remember people died trying to keep the mines open. Your trying to stop jobs being created. why!!
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I don’t think it’s really about jobs tbh, Spencer. Jobs in the fossil fuel industry simply aren’t sustainable in a climate-changing world, whereas the green energy sector offers a huge opportunity for job creation. Serious investment in green technologies would inject our economy with green collar jobs. In fact the government’s own figures project the creation of over 160,000 new jobs if it meets the UK’s 2020 renewable energy targets. A few jobs for a few months is no justification for this destruction.
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Do they need planning permission for that there sign?
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Then if its about the greener issues then surely its better to mine locally and fuel a power station only five miles away than railroad coal from the Ukraine.
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I was fortunate enough (if you can call it that) to be at the Public Enquirey on the day that very subject was discussed. The details were very intricate but it works out that the tiny amount the mine will generate per day is within the varience on train loads/coal ships cargoes. So it is already accounted for in their systems regardless.
Sounds crazy, but mining locally will actually add carbon emmissions overall :(
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refeering to Spencers comment about the coal going to ironbridge.
At the Inquiry, UKraine Coal presented 3 options to the Inspector for the Coals destination, Ironbridge, some 4 miles away, Rugely some 32 miles away, and Ratcliffe on Soar, some 65 miles away.
Perhaps Spencer is unaware of the “Sustainable Communities Act”?
This specifies, a set distance for “sustainable products”, such as Coal, to be moved , this being, 30 miles, no more.
You will see that both the other 2 options submitted by UKraine Coal, are over the Governments own limit , by Act of parliament ( the Oness to police this Act lies with Telford and Wrekin Council).
Again, those who attended the Inquiry – or followed the finer points in detail would be aware of this.
Magister.
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I wasn’t at the enquiry but i do live local. Therefore i am just after the facts. Perhaps you would get more support if you were’nt so patronising..
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I don’t think Magister was trying to patronise you Spencer, they just seem to be very passionate about the issue.
From what I’ve heard a lot of people care more about this issue now that it is going ahead. Unfortunately if those same people had cared before/during the inquiry there might have been more chance of stopping it. I’m guessing it is the frustration talking, don’t take it personally :)
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Spencer, I certainly wasnt intending to come over as patronising – just stating facts, those who took the time out and trouble to come to the Inquiry would have heard the full facts presented, not edited, shortened versions that the press coverage produced.
Unless you are aware of all the facts presented , by all sides, then you do not know the full background?
Living locally, you will be aware that a good and productive deep mine was closed some years ago; Granville.
This produced work for generations of men, not 20for a coule of years, this is again our future if coal is to be used in this country, at a time when it is really needed and no other supplies are available.
If Russia chooses to exploit her mineral assets for pound notes, let them, but leave our coal where it is until needed, youcannot sell thefamily silver, and then hope on a rainy day to have something of value.
This is real energy security, not opencasting away our reserves for companies gains, those companies having no interest in what happens locally.
Have a look at the damage inflicted in the New Works woods to cut the haulroad last week -are these immature trees that UKraine Coal have felled -i think not, but again, if they lied about this small point, how much more have they not told youabout the dust and health?
Magister.
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