This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-20121255
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
West Burton EDF power station protesters arrested | West Burton EDF power station protesters arrested |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Five climate change protesters have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass at an EDF power station in Nottinghamshire. | Five climate change protesters have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass at an EDF power station in Nottinghamshire. |
Sixteen more protesters remain on the site after climbing on cooling towers at the West Burton plant on the Lincolnshire border. | |
Police said the protesters "climbed the water towers and... secured themselves to restrict their removal". | |
An EDF spokesman said energy supplies were not affected by the protest. | An EDF spokesman said energy supplies were not affected by the protest. |
It is understood up to 200 staff may have been sent home. | |
'Drastic' action | 'Drastic' action |
The No Dash for Gas protesters said they planned to stay on the site for a week to show their opposition to gas-fired plants which they said were polluting and expensive. | |
EDF is constructing a three-unit gas-fired turbine next to its existing coal-fired plant which will produce enough electricity to supply more than a million homes. | EDF is constructing a three-unit gas-fired turbine next to its existing coal-fired plant which will produce enough electricity to supply more than a million homes. |
The protesters climbed the towers at the gas turbine plant, which is expected to open later this year. | The protesters climbed the towers at the gas turbine plant, which is expected to open later this year. |
A police spokesman said: "Negotiations have begun to encourage the protesters to end their demonstration." | |
The cost of policing the protest will reach £200,000 if the protesters stay on the site until next week, the spokesman said. | |
The five people arrested - all women from either Manchester or Leeds - were being questioned, he added. | |
One protester named Ewa, speaking from one of the cooling towers, said: "We need a shift - we need to change to renewables. | One protester named Ewa, speaking from one of the cooling towers, said: "We need a shift - we need to change to renewables. |
"Drastic action does need to be taken to get this government to perform a u-turn - which is one towards renewables. | "Drastic action does need to be taken to get this government to perform a u-turn - which is one towards renewables. |
"We are peaceful protesters who know exactly where we are - we will be surrendering ourselves to police after a week's time which is when our supplies run out." | "We are peaceful protesters who know exactly where we are - we will be surrendering ourselves to police after a week's time which is when our supplies run out." |
'Sent home' | 'Sent home' |
EDF spokesman Gordon Bell said: "We support the right to peaceful protest. However, any unlawful action is of serious concern and puts at risk the safety of the individuals involved. | EDF spokesman Gordon Bell said: "We support the right to peaceful protest. However, any unlawful action is of serious concern and puts at risk the safety of the individuals involved. |
"EDF Energy is committed to a low-carbon future through new generation and increased energy efficiency. | |
"Alongside our new gas plant at West Burton, new nuclear and renewables are major elements in our future generation plans." | "Alongside our new gas plant at West Burton, new nuclear and renewables are major elements in our future generation plans." |
Steve Pryle, from the GMB union, said: "All our members have been sent home. We were told approximately 200 of our members have been sent home." | |