Today heavy handed security guards from Reliance Security [1] closed off the B4032 between Soulbury and Linslade between Dollar Farm and Valley Farm to fell mature trees, in a pre-planned raid for work on the Stoke Hammond and Linslade Western Bypass [2]. Local campaigners were prevented from going to the area, and were man-handled by security guards. One man was carried off the roadside verge, in front of his 2-year old son. He was also prevented from taking photographs of the destruction [3].
This is in complete contradiction of the agreement reached with Buckinghamshire County Council in the High Court on 1st February that protesters could exercise their right to protest and observe events on the Public Highway and Footpaths [4].
South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth are appalled as this infringement of the right to protest, as they had welcomed the recognition of Bucks County Council in the High Court of the right to protest. Yesterday, campaigners had also welcomed announcements that Bucks County Council were promising firm public transport commitments for the area, in response to the protests.
Local campaigner, Sean Kelly, said:
"I am absolutely outraged that Buckinghamshire County Council guards physically prevented me from my right to protest as agreed at the High Court just two days earlier. I felt like crying as theses beautiful mature trees came crashing down for a road that will not provide a long term solution to the transport problems of this area."
Local residents website about the protest is at www.linsladeprotest.org.uk
Contact: Victoria Harvey of South Beds FoE on 01525 385097 and 07815 817108 and
vharvey@btopenworld.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
[1] The security firm, Project Security, are a "anti-protester" subsidiary of Reliance Security who lost the contract at the Newbury Bypass protest in 1996 due to incompetence -
http://www.reliancesecurity.co.uk/our_services/total_security_solutions/event_management/special_projects.html
[2] The £50 million Stoke Hammond and Linslade Western Bypass is the first of four bypasses, which will provide a dual carriageway between Milton Keynes and Aylesbury. This is in one of the Government's 'growth areas', with Milton Keynes set to have 44,000 new homes by 2021, South Bedfordshire 26,000, and Aylesbury 15,000. Protesters believe that it is the first piece of infrastructure to pave the way for the huge housing development planned for the 'Growth Area'.
[3] Local man, Sean Kelly, can be contacted on 07768 481944. He has been promised a written apology from Buckinghamshire County Council.
[4] On 1st February campaigners managed to overturn an earlier draconian Injunction, granted in a secret hearing, that banned all protests. In recognition of the right to protest, the Court allowed protests and monitoring of works from the Rights of Way. Today, local campaigners have been prevented from exercising this right and have faced violence from security guards. See press releases on www.linsladeprotest.org.uk for the background to the Injunction.
[5] South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth, and others, have opposed this scheme for years, including through the 2003 Public Inquiry. The protest started on 17th January when clearance work was due to start on the scheme. Sixty local residents turned out to oppose the bulldozers. Work was temporarily suspended when two women chained themselves to a digger to prevent illegal felling of trees. A constant vigil has been kept up by local residents, with a treehouse and camp established on 23rd January. Local residents have been engaged in conducting surveys of local residents' views, and leafleting. A Public Meeting is also being organised for 12 th of Febuary in Stoke Hammond village Hall at 7.30pm , in contrast with the last consultation by Buckinghamshire County Council in 1982.
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