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-wales-south-west-wales-28832520
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Anti-fracking protesters in Swansea cause chaos in city | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Anti-fracking protesters have brought major disruption to Swansea after blockading a new university building. | |
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 began at 06:00 BST on Monday and caused chaos for commuters. | |
Swansea University said it was co-operating with South Wales Police and construction staff to keep disruption to a minimum. | |
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. |
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 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 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. |