Anti-mining protesters invade coal site
Tuesday 5th July 2011, 3:35PM BST.
Can’t see video? Update Adobe Flash Player
Video may take a moment to load. Return to Video Index
Police were called to UK Coal’s mine in Telford today after protesters ran onto the site and chained themselves to diggers.
There were dramatic scenes when two of the campaigners ran onto the New Works mining site at about 7am and used bicycle locks to attach themselves by their necks to the machines.
Two of the protesters were arrested while others were escorted off the site by police and security guards.
The campaigners, who have been living in a makeshift camp at the site since March last year, are fighting plans by UK Coal to mine 900,000 tonnes of coal.
One of the campaigners, Suzie Murphy, said six protesters ran onto the site to distract the security guards while the two men secured themselves to the machinery.
Chris Ammonds, spokesman for Telford police, said a 19-year-old man was arrested this morning on suspicion of aggravated trespassing and a second man was arrested this afternoon.
Gordon Grant, spokesman for UK Coal, said the protesters had been given warning to leave the site and would now face legal action.
Last week, the company placed a notice at the campsite warning the campaigners that they must leave the site by noon today or face court action.
He said: “We have served notice for seven days which expired today. Our next step is to seek an order from the court to allow us to continue our local business, as we have been given the right to do.”
Miss Murphy said: “We are going no where and we will continue to fight this.”
l Pledge – See Page 5
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Shrewsbury’s broadband speed one of slowest in UK
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Oh dear! I hope this will not effect their social security payments ?
We are paying for these idle sods, and it is time all payments were withdrawn from them.
Report abuse
o dear! i am an artist, kick boxing instructor, mother and protester, get up early darling! x
Report abuse
@ Suzy
Good for you dear….
Report abuse
What a brilliant mother! Guess the kick boxing class is cancelled for the day though.
Report abuse
Most of us protesters work actually !! get your facts straight before making a big chavvy asbo assumption !!
Report abuse
I’m afraid that none of us believe you. I’d also just like to say that I was very impressed with your well argued and eloquent counter argument to the first comment. Given your clear mastery of the English language, have you ever considered a career in politics? No? I’ll make it simpler – have you ever considered a career at all? The polital route might take longer, but you’d be able to initiate decisions (such as where mining can take place)from within, without the need for camping, not washing & spending precious benefit payments on cycle locks.
Report abuse
As your so keen on correct use of the English language Raymond, look up the words supercilious and bigot!
Report abuse
And how is jumping on diggers “idle”? surely idle is sitting at home letting the planet get trashed?
Report abuse
Oh yes, he probably forgot that you chaining yourself to a digger will stop all coal being burnt across the planet. Good effort, you’re really making a difference. :rollseyes:
Report abuse
and yourself what are you doing accept assuming and judging with no evidence and seems angry projection. you just do not get it, so please try not to bother making any comments, you are making yourself look very stupid. x
Report abuse
Just a gentle reminder my dear. Sentences are never started with the word ‘and’. Also, you must start words after a full stop with a capital letter. You may wish to address these points before calling others stupid.
Report abuse
UKcoalRscum –you say that sitting at home and letting the planet get trashed ,what do you do when your not sitting down protesting? i mean where do you actually work? Next project for you is sitting in outerspace stopping the ozone layer getting worse.
Report abuse
well how about we all sit in a hut wast more money on getting the protesters evicted you shold of just started tge diggers and berried them why carnt tey get a propper job think its the best thing to happen to telford is there any more jobs going at the site
Report abuse
“is there any more jobs going at the site”?
If there are can I suggest you get a grownup to help you with the application form?
Report abuse
What language is this ??
Report abuse
Dawley
Report abuse
Surry, theest wrong theer Barbera, I’m a dawley mon an I dunna recognise it, try donnington, thern a funny lot ova theer….;-)
Report abuse
Dave, you’re not from Broseley are you ?
Report abuse
I was asked once if I would donate my shoes to the tramps that camp on the site protesting! It really annoys me… why would I donate my shoes to them when I could donate to those that are worse off, with real problems or to the poor in other countrys.
UK Coal will not be affected by these childish actions! Chaining yourself to machinery isn’t very clever… it costs us to pay for you being bums and the time wasted by police!
There are so many bigger issues where peoples time could be spent on – rather than this crap!!! The way most of you live is contradictory to the what you say you believe in! what you wear, eat, live, drive has some connection to the things you protest against.
I will leave you to make some abusive crap up…
Report abuse
same goes for yourself, get educated then come up with less boring arguments, deary me, no wonder society is how it is, bet you watched the royal wedding lol.
Report abuse
“big chavvy asbo assumption2 – I rest my case on how you make assumptions… is that not one???
If your going to protest… then do it in a civilised way! It is you lot that are more ASBO like in the way you protest
Report abuse
yeh well it in response to a rubbish, boring, uneducated argument my dear. yawn!
Report abuse
Mmm and its so non chavvy to have a username ukcoalRscum!!
Jumping on diggers is indeed very constructive what would the world do without you. I agree that opencast mining is not a popular choice but the facts (you probably havent bothered with these, too busy studying digger security and surveillance), are that it has come on leaps and bounds from what it used to be.
I personally feel there are far more pressing issues regarding our sacred environment that could use your incredible skill set.
Did you not see the news from the Japanese earthquake and the near catastrophic levels of radiation release? Many more plants now being built, much better than coal hey?
The devastation being caused by huge world over population? Go and jump on some reactors, perhaps a couple trying to conceive?
Im so glad we have you, digger defying hero.
Report abuse
all of what you mentioned are all human related, so why? think on….. if you have the chance to do things locally within your remit then this is a start? we all have commitments and at least try to do what we can whilst living in our hypocrisies.
Report abuse
It’s interesting that you mention doing things within your remit; I don’t consider breaking the law to be within my remit as a citizen yet as a protester you’re implying it’s fine?
Also, just how much impact will the “radical” act two people jumping on a digger have on the mining and consumption of coal locally or worldwide. None.
I’d imagine the impact on the economic and political stakeholders within UK Coal would be a mere annoyance, like a buzzing fly on a summers day.
Report abuse
When Injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.
If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito!
Report abuse
What a big day for the hopeless -sorry, my mistake, hopeful.
UK Coal will inevitably get their eviction -whatever the cost – its another tax write off as a business “expense” -dont the protestors realise this?
For a very long time, the Protest has been peaceful, with much propaganda bandied back and forth between the two – and some eductaed folk applying their resources to the fight it seems, but now, what has happened ?
The Giants been awoken and angered, the result will be an eviction imminently, and the coal will continue to be removed.
If the cause was so popular , there would have been more than 12 people there, I recall the Power station protests when thousands turned up to protest.
Silas.
Report abuse
gosh there so many ignorant on here.
Report abuse
I am amazed that people are prepared to make comments in public when their grasp of the English language is so limited, I have never seen so many spelling mistales and tryping errols in all my life, and I am sick of the number of people now using the word OF instead of HAVE and now I notice people are saying I CAN’T BE ASKED instead of I CAN’T BE ARSED, at this rate we will be going back to grunting like cavemen (and teenagers) within the next 100 years.
Report abuse
@ Murphy Suzy, I’m not sure which you are trying to save here, is it the planet or the area where UK coal are currently mining as if it is the planet i would like you to answer a question.
the Buildwas Power Station provides electricity to homes, hospitals and schools by burning coal from a mine located only four miles from where it is situated. The alternative is that the coal be dug from a Ukranian mountainside dangerously and often by children. Its then transported to Buildwas by road, Train and ship and train again. I’m not sure about what you think but i reckon that having a mine next to a power station is far more environmentally friendly.
Please don’t answer the question with abuse and name calling ( see above ) as i only want your opinion.
Report abuse
Does the coal used at Builwas actually come from the Ukraine though , Spencer?
Much of the coal being mined at the Shortwoods is being shipped as far away as Nottingham as I believe it isn’t suitable/wanted at Buildwas.
I for one, am more concerned about the destruction of acient woodland and the inevitable building site for new housing estates, that will become of the area “under the wrekin”, once UK coal have finished and sold the “wasteland” to property developers but living in Madeley, you probaly wouldn’t care about that.
Report abuse
Not Madeley, Upper Ironbridge i think you’ll find..
Report abuse
So is Buildwas coal being imported from the Ukraine, Spencer or is that just more speculation on your part?
Report abuse
Possibly China
Report abuse
“Not Madeley, Upper Ironbridge i think you’ll find.”
…or Woodside East….
“So is Buildwas coal being imported from the Ukraine”
…could well be, seeing as the the two main sources of coal burnt in the UK are from Russia and its former republics, and South Africa.
China, despite its massive mining industry, exports little or no coal but imports vast quantities, especially from Autralia.
Report abuse
the coal is low grade and is being mixed with high grade from Russia, the coal was offered to buildwas, they refused it. uk coal wish to declassify the ancient woodland next to where they are digging because the coal there is high grade, they will inch there way until the shropshire hill side has gone, this fight has been for 16yrs, this is where protesters reveal the corruption, uk coal giving little wenlock 500 thousand? dawley lawley get nothing, the lorries and dust go past these places not little wenlock. uk coal breech regularly and start up around midnight on sundays and bank holidays, this is a breech in contract, they do not damp down properly and alot of the dirty water goes into our rivers. the affect on food chains (webbing systems) will affect the whole of the area killing billions of species, therefor affecting pollination and sapling growth, seedlings from birds, the list goes on. x
Report abuse
It appears that everyone in this discussion agrees that the world is out of control, and something needs to be done about it.
the protests may be small , and eventually, even inaffectual, however, at least its brought the subject of our imminent doom into the lime light (all be it regional), and people are discussing it. surely better than burying our heads in the sand and letting ‘the system’ continue unchallenged. What these guys are doing is making a statement and objecting on all our behalves. the methods may be objectionable to some, but they are mostly people with a financial interest, and no or little interest in investing in the earth’s future or for their fellow mankind. there is no easy answer, and politics doesnt appear to be effective either. thank god these guys arnt working, cause i certainly couldnt take the time out of work to protest. im too selfish. xxx
Report abuse
This is absolute gold!
A discussion about a protest at a local coal mine which is now being blown up into talking about our “imminent doom”. Could you elaborate on what this threat is?
Also, these people are not objecting on my behalf, I don’t agree with their inEffectual (notice that it’s spelt with an E) protests. Not because of financial reasons but if we move away from coal power we’ll end up using renewable energy. My issue is this “eco” solution will blight our beautiful landscape, threaten the wildlife in and around our rivers or have an effect on marine life dependent on which method is used.
I wouldn’t feel selfish about working, I imagine your job will actually have a beneficial, tangible effect on someone or something.
Report abuse
dear me.
why cant some people hold a healthy discussion without lowering themselves to pointing out grammatical or spelling errors. it doesnt make you a better or wiser person you know- just obnoxious.
obviously, i was refering to the fact that the planet cannot continue to sustain humankind the way we are going on, and it doesnt take a genius to see that. just someone who can read or hear. we agree on the point that there are no great answers, but i think continuing to rape the land and pollute the skys with fossil fuels is not a sustainable source of fuel, and will certainly do something to ‘blot the landscape’, if thats all your worried about.its going to have to stop sometime because it will run out, so they might as well stop now. i bet you would object to wind farms too because they would ruin your view. i think some perspective is in order. ide love to know your stake in this, shropshire lad, because your mighty passionate about it.
anyway. im bored of this discusson. over and out
Report abuse
So I’m obnoxious because I’d like to see the correct usage of our language? You could have at least used the right word and said pedantic.
I agree that using fossil fuels isn’t sustainable* but do you really think the use of them could be stopped just like that? A complete new power supply infrastructure would need to be rolled out, the world’s economies would fall over due to a valuable commodity not being traded and that’s just the start of the list.
As you mention, some perspective is in order, did you know that windfarms are only effective for a third of the time and require a backup power source like coal or nuclear? Also they require the grid to be upgraded, are expensive to build and have a limited life; are you looking forward to your bills going up when the plug is pulled on fossil fuels?
I have no stake in this apart from a general interest. What’s your stake in all of this?
* The original definition of the word and not the one used in environmentalism.
Report abuse
I saw one of these protesters on Midlands Today the other night. She was rambling on about this mining work ‘destroying the planet’.
With such clear and gross exaggeration, how can these people possibly expect to be taken seriously?
Report abuse
ukcoalRscum & Murphy Suzy – Its been made perfectly clear, over the last 18 months or so, that you and the rest of your ilk do not have the support of the majority of observers. The tactics employed by these so called protesters are childish & dangerous. If you want to make a difference then do it politically, win support from people, USE YOUR HEADS. The sort of antics employed so far will not change the outcome, they just serve to alienate people from your cause – Grow up!
Report abuse
Im sorry raymond but if you had followed us in the news we had a year campaign against this and eventually the problem got passed over by the then sectary John Denam( a good friend and golf partner of one of the leading UKcoal ceo’s)
Direct action is the last resort ever taken, but it has got to this point and the village that surrounds the area are in support (mostly) of us ” soap dodging scum”. But the news will not report that as it only has press releases to go on and statements made by protester’s. Kind hearted and determined people. Please meet them and talk to them before passing judgement you may not agree with others on this comment thread but oh well at least meet my friends and listen to them before making your mind up!
Report abuse
I find it hard to believe that just one MP (in this case John Denham) could hold the power to give this scheme the go ahead. I can’t imagine how many planning officers, council officer, etc the plans would have had to go through. So after due process, the scheme was given the green light. You & your protester pals didn’t get your own way -so what do you do? Throw your collective dummys out of the pram & use dangerous and bullying techinques to try and get what IN YOUR OPINION the desired result. I would go as far as to say its one step removed from terrorism. If all the public support you’ve been able to muster is a handful of NIMBY locals, then you’ve already lost i’m afraid. Time to admit defeat and clear off!
Report abuse
There seems to be much mud slinging abound and not much in the way of reasoned debate between commenters on both sides, what a shame. I don’t really think casting aspersions about protesters employment status or education are helpful or indeed necessary but for what it’s worth I am certain that there are many supporters of this cause that hold down a job. IMO adopting pre-conceived opinion as fact is also a most closed minded attitude which benefits no-one.
Personally I’m surprised not to have seen such action from the protesters sooner! If their aim is to cost UK Coal money then I expect to see more of the same in the run up to their eventual eviction. Maybe this time some of the females on site will also step up to the plate, in the interests of equality?
Report abuse
ukcoalRscum and Murphy Suzy. Despite what others say Keep on protesting,I’m with you. The majority of people here are set in their own little world and can’t see further than the end of their noses.
Report abuse
looks like your another one, how long have you been living in telford?
Report abuse
Rikky, I’ve lived in this area for 55 years and walked through the shortwoods many times….over to you now, your turn!
Report abuse
60 years,so seen them doing open cast mining before, but if youv’e not been in telford for more than 10 years you dont know how much Telford has changed.
Report abuse
WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS HOW LONG HAVE THESE PROTESTERS LIVED IN TELFORD? will one off you let me know as i will b very interested also would be nice if you gave me some idea which part off telford are you from.
Report abuse
Fairly irrelevant, they live where they live, in the words of Paul Young “Wherever I claim my giro that’s my home”.
Report abuse
pete no its not irrevelant i want to know how long they have lived in Telford, just out ov curiousity.
Report abuse
I am a lawyer and know of at least two other lawyers campaigning in support of the protectors, I have perused numerous medical reports that state in areas where there is an open cast mine respiratory problems increase by an average of 55% significantly in the over 50s and under 5s so whilst this may not bother most of you the cost to the NHS will eventually be born to the tax payer
Report abuse
A bit like the policing costs incurred with these people who are trespassing ?
Or is that another law you’re not interested in?
Report abuse
Wow, what a legal eagle you must be!
I hope you take more notice of your case notes then!?
I think you mean BORNE!
Report abuse
i would like to thank everyone on this page that supports us in what ever form. thankyou to the residents of little wenlock that continue to bring us food gifts and water. we are peaceful and non violent group of people that are trying to save the earth, this is no game. x
Report abuse
Precisely how are you ‘saving the Earth’?
You’re tring to stop a pretty small, and ultimately temporary mining project. I really think you’re in dnger of building up your part somewhat.
As for the people bringing you food, has it occurred to you that many of them will be ‘nimbys’ who are at least as concerned about their house prices as they are about ‘saving the planet’.
It is a game, it’s your hobby in fact, and it’s high time you people grew up and accepted the rule of law – that’s what we do in democracies.
Report abuse
Laws are made by people who want power over the population,at one time it was the “law” that women couldnt vote(some might say not a bad thing). Untill the people get together and say,”this is wrong” people accept the law. Think outside the box the establishment has put you in!Please dont come back with “power to the people citizen”!
Report abuse
Suze, you know as well as I do that the greatest threat to this planet is overpopulation.
Are you doing your bit?
Report abuse
There are ‘lawyers’ and there are lawyers
Report abuse
we have local environment campaigners who initially supported this campaign. Unfortunately they left because as they said “A trouble element moved in to the camp”, something they have been proven correct on.
Report abuse
Good luck to Suzy Murphy and all others shown in the video, and at the protest site.
Report abuse
KT dont encorouge them
Report abuse
Do you even know where the shortwoods is Rikky?
Report abuse
We love you uk Coal keep up the good work Hope these low life’s get a proper job soon so you can do yours
Report abuse