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Anti-fracking protest in Swansea causes M4 traffic chaos Anti-fracking protesters in Swansea cause chaos in city
(35 minutes later)
Anti-fracking protesters have been causing traffic chaos for commuters on the main road into Swansea. Anti-fracking protesters have brought major disruption to Swansea after blockading a new university building.
The group Reclaim the Power says it has blockaded and shut down construction of a new Swansea University building on Fabian Way. Eight people from the group Reclaim the Power shut down construction of the site on Fabian Way - the main route into the city from the M4.
The protest started at about 06:00 BST on Monday. The protest began at 06:00 BST on Monday and caused chaos for commuters.
Swansea University said it was co-operating with police and construction staff to keep disruption to a minimum. Swansea University said it was co-operating with South Wales Police and construction staff to keep disruption to a minimum.
South Wales Police said the road, which leads off the M4 and into the city, was heavily congested but traffic was now easing. The force said the road, which leads off the M4 and into the city, was heavily congested during rush hour but had eased.
At one point traffic was tailing back to the M4 at junction 42.At one point traffic was tailing back to the M4 at junction 42.
In a press release, the activists said they had dressed as "mad scientists" to protest against fracking research. They have camped outside the site, dropped a "No Fracking" banner from the top of the building and another protester was locked on to a tripod. The activists said they dressed as "mad scientists" to protest against fracking research. They camped outside the site and dropped a "No Fracking" banner from the top of the building while another protester was locked on to a tripod.
New institute
They say they are "angered" by "tens of millions of public money being funnelled into research on fracking via Swansea University's new Energy Safety Research Institute".They say they are "angered" by "tens of millions of public money being funnelled into research on fracking via Swansea University's new Energy Safety Research Institute".
A spokeswoman for Swansea University confirmed the UK and Welsh governments had both funded research into "all types of energy, and one of those could be fracking" at the site. A spokeswoman for Swansea University confirmed the UK and Welsh governments had both funded research at the institute into "all types of energy, and one of those could be fracking".
She also confirmed previous landowners BP had donated the site to the university, which the protesters are unhappy about. She also confirmed previous landowners BP had donated the site to the university, which the protesters have highlighted.
The spokeswoman added: "The university hopes that any disruption caused by this demonstration is kept to a minimum by the appropriate authorities.The spokeswoman added: "The university hopes that any disruption caused by this demonstration is kept to a minimum by the appropriate authorities.
"We will be cooperating with the police and our contractors to resolve the situation as speedily as possible.""We will be cooperating with the police and our contractors to resolve the situation as speedily as possible."
'Peaceful protest'
South Wales Police confirmed eight protesters were at the site.
"There has been heavy congestion in the area due to vehicles being unable to access the construction site and tailing back onto the main carriageway," said a spokesman.
"South Wales Police acknowledges the right to peaceful protest and will work with protestors to facilitate any lawful protest while minimising disruption to the community and ensuring public safety."
Meanwhile a protest is also being staged at the offices of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in London.Meanwhile a protest is also being staged at the offices of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in London.