Power station demonstration ends

Campaigners have ended a mass protest at a Nottinghamshire power station, during which dozens were arrested and several people were injured.

More than 1,000 protesters spent the weekend at the Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant and clashed with police as they tried to get in to the site.

Protesters claimed success, but the energy firm E.ON said the station had operated normally during the weekend.

The estimated cost of the police operation is put at about £500,000.

A spokesman for E.ON, which was granted a High Court injunction giving police the power to arrest anyone who tried to enter the site, said: "There aren't any winners or losers here. It was a less than peaceful protest.

"Protesters were hurt, policemen were hurt and the power station carried on producing energy regardless.

"I don't think it added anything to the debate on the UK's energy future."

We've achieved what we came here to do, to show that coal has no future Natasha Blair, Camp for Climate Action

Organisers of the so-called Great Climate Swoop event had pledged to halt production and several activists managed to gain entry to the site.

Fifty-two people were arrested on Saturday and four people were arrested on Sunday, said police.

Protesters and police officers suffered injuries during the demonstrations.

One policeman was airlifted to hospital in Derby with head injuries but was later discharged.

There were several clashes between police and protesters

The Camp for Climate Action - one of the groups which organised the demonstration - said its aim was "to confront the causes of climate change, not get into conflict with the police".

Activist Joanna Gonzales said: "It has been inspiring to see so many people who are prepared to take direct action and face arrest to show that this power station needs to be closed for good."

Natasha Blair from the Camp for Climate Action said: "We've achieved what we came here to do - to show that coal has no future and there is a growing movement which is prepared to take action on climate change."

Ratcliffe-on-Soar was chosen as a target in an online vote following a Climate Camp held in London in August.

E.ON added: "We're already closing three of our other fossil-fired power stations."

The company said it was "pushing forward with lower carbon options that include developing new wind farms, gas plants, cleaner coal and nuclear that will allow us to tackle the threat of climate change while also ensuring security and affordability of energy supplies".

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version