This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/7453846.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Police hold 29 train protesters | Police hold 29 train protesters |
(19 minutes later) | |
Protesters who boarded and chained themselves to a coal train en route to one of Europe's biggest power stations have been taken into custody. | |
Twenty-nine climate campaigners halted a train taking fuel to Drax power station in North Yorkshire on Friday. | Twenty-nine climate campaigners halted a train taking fuel to Drax power station in North Yorkshire on Friday. |
Police confirmed all the protesters had been removed from the train by midnight and arrests went "into double figures". | Police confirmed all the protesters had been removed from the train by midnight and arrests went "into double figures". |
The train remains where it stopped, close to the village of Carlton, near Goole, ahead of an inspection. | The train remains where it stopped, close to the village of Carlton, near Goole, ahead of an inspection. |
Police said the majority of the campaigners, who were from London, the South East and Manchester, would be questioned during Saturday. | Police said the majority of the campaigners, who were from London, the South East and Manchester, would be questioned during Saturday. |
We are the largest, cleanest and most efficient coal-fired power station in the UK Drax statement Those arrested face possible charges of conspiracy to obstruct trains, obstructing trains and railway trespass, police said. | We are the largest, cleanest and most efficient coal-fired power station in the UK Drax statement Those arrested face possible charges of conspiracy to obstruct trains, obstructing trains and railway trespass, police said. |
The train, which was bound for the power complex near Selby, was stopped on Friday in Rawcliffe, on the border of North and East Yorkshire, apparently by a protester waving a red flag. | The train, which was bound for the power complex near Selby, was stopped on Friday in Rawcliffe, on the border of North and East Yorkshire, apparently by a protester waving a red flag. |
The protest was staged by members of Leave it in the Ground, a group which campaigns against open cast mining. | The protest was staged by members of Leave it in the Ground, a group which campaigns against open cast mining. |
In a statement the group said they had used a "carefully rehearsed procedure to stop the train". | In a statement the group said they had used a "carefully rehearsed procedure to stop the train". |
Members said signalmen were informed as soon as the action was under way in order to prevent any risk to other trains. | Members said signalmen were informed as soon as the action was under way in order to prevent any risk to other trains. |
Protesters were taken away from the train on Friday night | Protesters were taken away from the train on Friday night |
Activist Ben Tennyson said: "We've stopped this train to prevent it delivering a thousand tonnes of coal to be burned at Drax and then released into the atmosphere. | Activist Ben Tennyson said: "We've stopped this train to prevent it delivering a thousand tonnes of coal to be burned at Drax and then released into the atmosphere. |
"If we're serious about fighting climate change we have to leave this dirty fuel in the ground and invest in clean, renewable energy sources instead." | "If we're serious about fighting climate change we have to leave this dirty fuel in the ground and invest in clean, renewable energy sources instead." |
Up to 100 police officers, some in riot gear, boarded the wagons of the train in the operation to remove the activists. | Up to 100 police officers, some in riot gear, boarded the wagons of the train in the operation to remove the activists. |
Supt Terry Nicholson, of British Transport Police, said: "It's been a lengthy operation but our priority has been the safety of the public and our officers. | Supt Terry Nicholson, of British Transport Police, said: "It's been a lengthy operation but our priority has been the safety of the public and our officers. |
"We have been dealing with the protesters in a safe and professional manner and we have been arresting people for obstructing the railway." | "We have been dealing with the protesters in a safe and professional manner and we have been arresting people for obstructing the railway." |
'Cleanest' power station | 'Cleanest' power station |
A spokeswoman for Drax said the protest would not impact on operations and the station would operate "business as usual". | A spokeswoman for Drax said the protest would not impact on operations and the station would operate "business as usual". |
In a statement the firm said: "We are the largest, cleanest and most efficient coal-fired power station in the UK, which means that for every unit of electricity we generate we emit less CO2 than any other coal-fired power station in the UK. | In a statement the firm said: "We are the largest, cleanest and most efficient coal-fired power station in the UK, which means that for every unit of electricity we generate we emit less CO2 than any other coal-fired power station in the UK. |
"It is simply our size that makes us the single largest source of CO2 emissions. | "It is simply our size that makes us the single largest source of CO2 emissions. |
"We are investing £180m in reducing our emissions of CO2, through improving our thermal efficiency and co-firing renewable biomass materials. | "We are investing £180m in reducing our emissions of CO2, through improving our thermal efficiency and co-firing renewable biomass materials. |
"Together those two initiatives will reduce our carbon footprint by 15% or over three million tonnes." | "Together those two initiatives will reduce our carbon footprint by 15% or over three million tonnes." |
Previous version
1
Next version