Aviation and Roads – Page 6

excavator set on fire at road construction site, Russia

anonymous report, from From Russia With Love:

"On wednesday, 06/03/13, we paid a visit to yet another highway expansion site. We looked for a decent target and, upon finding one, put 6 litres of gasoline wired to a timer inside driver's cockpit. Alas, the excavator didn’t burn out completely: as soon as flames burst out of the cockpit, workers rushed over and started fighting the fire. It appears that they have succeeded. Nevertheless, our point was made. In the following texts we'll speak of ways of assembling a primitive clockwork timer and how to upgrade on molotov fuse.

A traditional salute to our comrades. We express wholehearted support to every anarchist who’s got in trouble. We hope you are reading this. Granted, this period is not the best one for you, but times will change and this will pass. Of course, no need to hope for a cloudless future. We wish you luck and all the best.

Our solidarity to all the imprisoned comrades from CCF, those on the run and under trial. To everyone who continues to fight, who refuses to bow down. To all our brothers and sisters who finds strength to resist. We dedicate this arson to you. We see you in the streets.

– Conspiracy Cells of Fire – Russia, 'Artificers cell'"

Camp Ivy pops up!

20.2.13

Combe Haven Defenders has just got word of a new independent camp that has appeared just off the public footpath between Glover’s Farm and Acton’s Farm.

20.2.13

Combe Haven Defenders has just got word of a new independent camp that has appeared just off the public footpath between Glover’s Farm and Acton’s Farm.

Camp Ivy is not on the route of the road and this means it should be relatively secure from short-term eviction. It does, however, provide a good base for protestors very close to the action! At the moment contractors are trying to complete extensive hedgerow cutting along the route of the proposed road to beat the 1st March nesting season deadline. This coming weekend 22/23 Feb will be a focus for protest against the hedgerow destruction.

Folk coming to the camp are requested to be as self-sufficient as possible, bringing food and water, and, if staying overnight, tent and sleeping bag too. The Camp Ivy mobile is 07706 065623.

Camp Ivy takes shape in the trees!

To access the camp, take the public footpath from Glover’s farm, Sidley, and follow it along the track which goes under the disused railway and then bears right towards Acton’s Farm. The camp is located discreetly in woodland on your right, between the footpath and the dismantled railway. The OS map ref is TQ750097. There’s a map in the flyer below. For the more adventurous, access is also possible from the North on foot across the valley from Crowhurst.

Sidley is a 30 minute walk from Bexhill train station, or reachable by Stagecoach bus 98 (every 30 mins approx) from Hastings, St Leonards and Bexhill.

Combe Haven Defenders deliver tree to East Sussex County Council offices

14.2.13

Not deterred by the eviction of the camps on the route over thirty opponents of the £100 million Bexhill-Hastings link road visited East Sussex County Council in Lewes this w

14.2.13

Not deterred by the eviction of the camps on the route over thirty opponents of the £100 million Bexhill-Hastings link road visited East Sussex County Council in Lewes this week.

They didn't arrive empty handed however– they turned up with big bits of tree, left over from the felling at Adam's Farm. They then proceeded to wedge them into the doors of the council offices. The council's doormen seemed remarkably reluctant to take delivery of the boughs which ESCC has compulsorily purchased.

The council came together on Tuesday for a rare meeting of all 49 councillors to agree its 2013 budget, George Osborne will have been pleased to hear that his Tory cronies voted to spend public money on the Road – which will devastatethe Combe Haven valley – at the same time as it is making cuts of £ 70m, which will be borne mainly by children and vulnerable adults.

According to Combe Haven Defenders “Peter Jones, ESCC's bully boy has abandoned claims that the road will relieve congestion, constructing instead a myth of job creation, yet the day before the budget meeting, central Government announced £16m to regenerate seaside towns like Bexhill and Hastings, much of it sustainable and community-based. Westminster expects to generate 4000 jobs. This is more than four times total number of jobs that the Link Road might hope to create at a fraction of the cost.”

In a further development, a Freedom of Information request by Hastings Alliance revealed that the road has yet to receive final funding approval from the Central Government. However, the documents were heavily redacted and campaigners are demanding to know what other embarrassing information has been withheld.

There are an increasing number of autonomous affinity groups committed to resisting by direct action. Combe Haven Defenders are now joined by a Crowhurst residents group and a local Quaker affinity. The battle over Combe Haven is only just beginning.

www.combehavendefenders.org.uk

Decoy Pond camp evicted but the campaign continues! (31 Jan)

Decoy Pond camp – the third of three camps that had been erected on the path of the planned Bexhill-Hastings Link Road (BHLR) – was finally evicted yesterday (Wednesday 30 Jan).

In the end it took scores of security, bailiffs and police three days to evict all of the climbers – not to mention tunnelers, people in tripods and folk locked-on on the ground! Denied food, water and medicine by East Sussex County Council, the activists in the trees also had to contend with torrential rain and gusts of wind of up to 54mph (Met Office figure for nearby Battle)! See below for photos and films from yesterday (30 Jan). In total, 9 people were arrested, and the CHD is now helping to assist those charged, as they go through the court process.

After 48 days of continuous protest (with 28 arrests) some of those involved will probably now be taking a short but much needed rest. Nonetheless, the Campaign continues, with four activists in Court this morning (Thursday 31 Jan), more news expected from the High Court on Friday, the “Grannies’ Dinghy” action in the Valley this Saturday (2 February), and an opportunity for opponents of the Road to get together to form groups and plan future activities, this Sunday (3 February: 4-6pm, The Roomz, 33-35 Western Road, St Leonards on Sea, TN37 6DJ).

Many more activities and projects are also in the pipeline, so please sign the Pledge / like us on Facebook / follow us on Twitter (@combe_haven) / send a donation (use the PayPal buttons on this site or send a cheque) and stay posted for more news on Phase 2. A luta continua!

Day 48 (30 Jan): Decoy Pond Camp eviction continues!

[Update, 10.43am: First arrest of the day reported as campaigner removed from tree.]

30 Jan: Day 48 of the current phase of Combe Haven protests has begun with activists still in the trees at Decoy Pond Camp (see here for maps and directions). The eviction continues! East Sussex County Council are still insisting that no food, water, blankets or medicines be allowed up to the people high-up in the trees, who faced gusts of wind of up to 54mph last night.

Meanwhile, local grandmothers are mobilising to bring inflatable dinghies to the flooded valley ths Saturday (2 February) for an aquatic demonstration of their support for the peaceful protests.

Five people were arrested yesterday, bringing the total number of arrests so far to 26. All have now been released: one was cautioned, and the remaining four have been charged.

As we noted at the time of the eviction of “Base Camp”: This is only the end of the beginning for the protests against the Bexhill Hastings Link Road (BHLR)!

If you can’t make it down to the Valley this week then please sign the Pledge / like us on Facebook / follow us on Twitter (@combe_haven) / send a donation (use the PayPal buttons on this site or send a cheque) and stay posted for news on Phase 2!

Two short films from yesterday’s eviction:

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Press Information Note
Combe Haven Defenders [1]
30 January 2013

EVICTION OF HASTINGS ANTI-ROAD CAMP ENTERS THIRD DAY
Local grandmothers to show support with “Grannies’ Dinghy” action this Saturday (2 Feb)

30 January, 8.15am: At least four activists are still in the treetops of the third [2] anti-road camp along the route of the proposed Bexhill-Hastings Link Road (BHLR) this morning, as local grandmothers mobilise to bring inflatable dinghies to the flooded valley ths Saturday (2 February) for an aquatic demonstration of their support for the peaceful protests.

Campaigners are currently peacefully resisting the eviction of the Camp, which is located just west of Upper Wilting Farm in Crowhurst (TN38 8EG) [3]. East Sussex Council have denied food and water to the protesters – who have faced heavy rain and gusts of up to 54mph, fifty-feet up in the trees – since Monday morning [4].

Local grandmothers will be assembling with inflatable dinghies at 12.45pm this Saturday (2 February) at the Plough Inn in Crowhurst (TN33 9AW), from where they plan to mount an aquatic demonstration against the Road in the nearby flooded fields – fields through which the Road is supposed to pass [5]. An earlier action (“Grannies’ Tree”) was reproduced in both the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph.

The £100m Road project is one of over forty “zombie roads” that were declared dead years ago but have now been resuscitated as part of as part of Britain’s largest road-building programme in 25 years [6,7].

Seven people have been arrested since Monday, including Natalie Hynde, daughter of pop singer Chrissie Hynde [4]. The peaceful protests against the Road– which have now been running continuously for 48 days, with 26 arrests – have seized national attention over the past seven weeks [8].

Adrian Hopkins of the Combe Haven Defenders said: “Resistance has been growing to this awful scheme as each day passes and more people become inspired by the action so far taken to protect the beautiful Combe Haven valley. This is only the beginning of a sustained campaign of peaceful resistance to this environmentally disastrous white-elephant project.”

NOTES
[1] http://www.combehavendefenders.org.uk
[2] The first camp was established on 21 December. Two other camps along the route, ‘Three Oaks’ and ‘Adams Farm’, have already been evicted, on 14 Jan and 16-17 Jan respectively, resulting in seven arrests.
[3] For maps and directions see http://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/camp-groundrules-directions/
[4] http://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/29-jan-escc-still-denying-food-blankets-to-activists-facing-44mph-gusts/
[5] http://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/sat-19-jan-grannies-photoshoot-2/
[6] See ‘Controversial ‘zombie roads’ scheme to be resuscitated’, Guardian, 10 October 2012, http://tinyurl.com/zombieroads
[7] http://bettertransport.org.uk/media/26-Oct-roads-report
[8] http://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/recent-media-coverage/

Treesit in California Against CalTrans Bypass

A coalition of environmental groups staged a protest Monday morning along Highway 101 to protest the construction of the highway bypass around Willits.

Dozens of protestors from Earth First! joined with a newly formed Willits group called Save our Little Lake Valley in an effort to stop the planned tree cutting along the bypass footprint. In addition to picket signs, a local woman is now living on a platform nestled in top of one of the trees slated for removal. Picketers on the ground vowed to support her tree sitting protest for as long as it takes.

“CalTrans did not cut today, it was definitely a victory,” says organizer Sarah Grusky of Save our Little Lake Valley. “We plan to hold vigils as often as possible to keep a lookout.”

CalTrans has been working for the past few weeks, placing markers along the project right of way preparing for the contractor to begin work. The first significant work scheduled for the contractor is to cut the trees along the bypass route to prevent migratory birds from nesting in them. Tree cutting is expected to start within two to three weeks according to CalTrans spokesman Phil Frisbie.

CalTrans awarded the $108 million construction project to the partnership of DeSilva Gates Construction and Flatiron West Incorporated late last year with the expectation most of the heavy construction work would not start until 2013 after the seasonal rains subsided.

A lawsuit filed by The Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, Willits Environmental Center and the Environmental Protection Information Center in May 2012 is seeking to delay the project until a more thorough examination of alternatives is conducted. The California Farm Bureau joined the lawsuit in August 2012. In November a federal judge denied the groups’ request for an injunction aimed at stopping construction until the lawsuit issues were settled. The trial date is scheduled for June 7.

While the courts settle the overall legality of CalTrans bypass design, some area activists are concerned about the damage being done in the meantime. Protestors brought informational signs and held them up to wave at travelers along the east side of Highway 101 south of Walker Road aimed at stopping any construction through peaceful protest.

“Caltrans has not considered the many other viable and sensible solutions to Willlits’ traffic problems developed by the people,” said Warbler, a Little Lake Valley farmer occupying the tree. “This Bypass will not improve local traffic and will create no permanent jobs, but it will permanently scar the Little Lake Valley. The Army Corp of Engineers is mandated to choose the least harmful alternative and the Bypass as planned isn’t it.”

Warbler is 24-years-old and has been living and working in the Willits valley for the past four years. This is her first tree sit. She volunteered for this role when planning for the protests began last year. She received tree climbing instructions from Cascadia Forest Defenders who also helped her get settled into the tree located at the south end of the new planned bypass not far from the current Highway 101. She has tarps to protect herself from rain and two sleeping bags to keep warm.

When asked how long she planned to stay in the tree she said, “that depends on CalTrans and local authorities.”

Updates from the trees: Hastings Link Road protests

Day 47 (Jan 29): Decoy Pond Camp eviction continues

[Update, 10am, Tues 29 Jan: A concerted move is reportedly being made on all of the treehouses, with lots of climbing specialists in the trees.]

The eviction of the third camp (Decoy Pond Camp – see here for maps and directions) along the route of the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road (BHLR) continues today (Tues 29 Jan – the 47th day of continuous protests in the valley) with activists still locked-on up trees, after spending a night in cold & wet conditions, facing gusts of up to 44mph (which are no joke when you’re 50 foot up a tree!).

Of the two people arrested yesterday: one has been cautioned and released, and the other is appearing in court this morning.

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Update, 6.30pm Mon 28 Jan: Climbing team & bailiffs have now left Decoy Pond camp for the day, leaving security guards & fencing behind. Two arrests have been reported. No-one yet removed from the trees. Hot food and more tarpaulins needed this evening (Mon 28 Jan). Eviction to continue tomorrow (Tues 29 Jan).

Can you come tonight to climb into site and help defend the trees tomorrow? Transport from Brighton, Lewes, Bexhill & Hastings. Details 07766 335506
—————————————
The eviction of the third camp (Decoy Pond Camp – see here for maps and directions) along the route of the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road (BHLR) began around 8.40am this morning. As at t 12.30pm there were some 70+ security personnnel on the site, as well as a considerable number of activists lock-on up the trees – including at least one at the top of a fifty-foot tree. The first arrest was reported around 12.20pm.

As we noted at the time of the eviction of “Base Camp”: This is only the end of the beginning for the protests against the Bexhill Hastings Link Road (BHLR)!
If you can’t make it down to the Valley this week then please sign the Pledge / like us on Facebook / follow us on Twitter (@combe_haven) / send a donation (use the PayPal buttons on this site or send a cheque) and stay posted for news on Phase 2!

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Press Information Note
Combe Haven Defenders [1]
28 January 2013

EVICTION OF 3RD HASTINGS ANTI-ROAD CAMP BEGINS
Campaigners peacefully resisting £100m project in tunnels and trees

28 January, 9.45am: The eviction of the third [2] anti-road camp along the route of the proposed Bexhill-Hastings Link Road (BHLR) has begun this morning, Monday 28 January. Campaigners are currently peacefully resisting the eviction of the Camp, which is located just west of Upper Wilting Farm in Crowhurst (TN38 8EG), locked-on up trees and down tunnels [3].

The peaceful protests against the Road– which have been running since 14 December, with 19 arrests – have seized national attention over the past month [4].

Yesterday, directors and senior campaigners from six major environmental and transport NGOs, including the RSPB, Greenpeace and the Campaign to Protect Rural England, visited the Camp, condemning the £100m Road project [5], one of over forty “zombie roads” that were declared dead years ago but have now been resuscitated as part of as part of Britain’s largest road-building programme in 25 years [6, 7].

Andy Atkins, Executive Director, Friends of the Earth, said “’This road shouldn’’t have been approved. It will lead to more pollution, damage the environment and do little to boost the local economy. Reviving discredited road schemes like this won’t solve our economic and transport problems, it will simply shift traffic elsewhere. Transport policy must change direction. We need cleaner cars and safe, efficient and affordable alternatives.’” [5]

NOTES
[1] www.combehavendefenders.org.uk
[2] The first camp was established on 21 December. Two other camps along the route, ‘Three Oaks’ and ‘Adams Farm’, have already been evicted, on 14 Jan and 16-17 Jan respectively, resulting in seven arrests that will all go to court later this week.
[3] For maps and directions see http://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/camp-groundrules-directions/
[4] See http://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/recent-media-coverage/
[5] See http://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2013/01/27/green-and-conservation-groups-ceos-visit-camp-condemn-link-road-plans/
[6] See ‘Controversial ‘zombie roads’ scheme to be resuscitated’, Guardian, 10 October 2012, http://tinyurl.com/zombieroads
[7] http://bettertransport.org.uk/media/26-Oct-roads-report

URGENT APPEAL – Defend Combe Haven, Resist the Eviction!

Camp Decoy, the last of three camps standing in the way of the proposed Bexhill – Hastings Link Road (BHLR), faces eviction next Monday (28 Jan). If you have ever thought you might come and take a stand against this horrifying scheme, now’s the time.

We need to do absolutely everything we can to peacefully resist this eviction. We have been truly humbled over the last few weeks by the level of support from the local community, and from well-wishers far and wide. But now we need people, lots of people, to stand together and say: “Enough is enough, it’s time to protect the countryside”.

See here for maps and directions from the nearest train station (Crowhurst).

Combe Haven is the first of 190 sites at risk of new road development. If we allow this one, the others will follow and precious habitats all over the country will be lost forever.

Here’s how you can help resist the eviction of Camp Decoy:

1. Share this far and wide. Facebook, Twitter, Email. Phone your friends. Phone your local radio station! Tell everyone at work, at school, at college, and down the pub.

2.Donate! Use the donate button on the Combe Haven Defenders web-site, or send them a cheque. Every little helps: just £6 buys enough rope to secure a platform; £12 buys a lock to secure someone to it.

3.Most importantly – Come to Combe Haven and help to peacefully defend Camp Decoy!

CATCH THE COMBE HAVEN BUS!

Decoy Wood is the last remaining piece of woodland in the way of the BHLR. Wait a week or two and it may be gone. If live in England, Wales or Scotland and you can get 20 people from your community to come, we will provide you with your very own Combe Haven Bus, for free!

These buses will bring people to Camp Decoy on Saturday, and on Sunday we hope to provide training in tree-climbing, locking-on, and a legal briefing.

We need everyone, whether it’s for peaceful resistance, legal observation or general support. Whether you are willing to risk arrest or not – there’s a job for you!

The bus will return to your community after a few days of action, depending on the situation on the ground.

For more information about the Combe Haven Bus, please phone or text 07766 335506

18 Jan: Unevicted! Third Road Protest Camp Still in Place

PLEASE NOTE: We’re currently experiencing problems with our (outgoing) text messaging.

PLEASE NOTE: We’re currently experiencing problems with our (outgoing) text messaging. Until further notice, please direct all texts and calls to 07926 423 033, and check your email (assuming you’ve signed-up to our email list), this web-site and the Facebook page to keep up to speed on what’s happening.

VIDEO: https://www.indymedia.org.uk/media/2013/01//505637.3gp

The third of three protest camps (“Decoy Pond”) against the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road (BHLR) remains unevicted today (Friday 18 Jan). Supporters and visitors are welcome! See maps above and below for location and directions.

Two campaigners occupying trees at the now-evicted “Base Camp” were arrested yesterday (Thursday 18 January), bringing the total number of arrests since the peaceful protests began on 14 December to nineteen.

Please note: “Decoy Pond” camp is a bit trickier to get to than the (now evicted) main camp was. In particular, at present you need to be fairly steady on your feet to navigate the rough and icy terrain.

Press release Combe Haven Defenders [1]
Friday 18 January
Contact 07926 423 033

UNEVICTED! THIRD ROAD PROTEST CAMP STILL IN PLACE, AS LOCAL GRANDMOTHERS MOBILISE TO SUPPORT PROTESTS
Campaigners still in trees as total number of arrests reaches nineteen

Friday 18 January, Crowhurst: The third of three protest camps (“Decoy Pond”) against the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road (BHLR) remains unevicted today (18 Jan), as local grandmothers mobilise to show their opposition to the Road and support for the peaceful protests.

Following their successful “Grannie Tree” action – photos from which appeared in the Daily Telegraph among other places [2] – local grandmothers are organising a second “Grannies Photoshoot” against the Road this Saturday (19 Jan), meeting at 12.45pm by the Recreation Ground near The Plough pub in Crowhurst (TN33 9AW) [2].

Two campaigners occupying trees at the now-evicted “Base Camp” were arrested yesterday, bringing the total number of arrests since the peaceful protests began on 14 December to nineteen.

Like the two camps that have already been evicted this week, “Decoy Pond” is located on the proposed route of the BHLR (see footnote [3] for maps and location).

The peaceful protests against the road– which have now been running for over a month – have seized national attention over the past week [4]. Tree-felling work for the road started on 14 December 2012 and represents the first significant work on the highly-controversial 3 mile £100m road, one of over forty “zombie roads” that were declared dead years ago but have now been resuscitated as part of as part of Britain’s largest road-building programme in 25 years [5, 6].

Gabriel Carlyle, a spokesperson for the Combe Haven Defenders: “Despite the freezing temperatures – and the massive resources deployed against them by East Sussex County Council – campaigners are still occupying the trees along the route of the BHLR. The last month of protests are only the beginning of a sustained campaign of peaceful resistance to this environmentally disastrous £100m white-elephant project.”

Contact 07926 423 033

NOTES
[1] www.combehavendefenders.org.uk
[2] https://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/sat-19-jan-grannies-photoshoot-2/
[3] Nearby postcode TN33 9AY. See maps above.
[4] http://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/recent-media-coverage/
[5] See ‘Controversial ‘zombie roads’ scheme to be resuscitated’, Guardian, 10 October 2012, http://tinyurl.com/zombieroads
[6] http://bettertransport.org.uk/media/26-Oct-roads-report

17 Jan: Protest camp eviction enters second day!

[Update, 5pm, Thursday 17 January: "Base camp" finally evicted this morning. "Decoy Pond" camp still unevicted and accessible.]

The second day of the eviction of the anti-road protest camps in Crowhurst (“Base Camp” and “Decoy Pond” camp – see maps below) has begun this morning, with activists still locked-on up trees and down tunnels.

Please protest, support and publicise!

As at 9.33am: access to the “Decoy Pond” camp is still possible; “Base Camp” is now surrounded by fencing, but activists are on the periphery and a legal observer is still on site inside the cordon. Five people were arrested yesterday (Wednesday 16 January), of whom 4 have now (9.33am, Thursday 17 Jan) been released.

Please note: This is only the end of the beginning for the protests against the Bexhill Hastings Link Road (BHLR)! We urgently need to replenish our finances following the last month of protests, so please consider giving a donation, using the “donate” button on our web-site and Facebook page, if you are able.

Press release Combe Haven Defenders [1]
Thursday 17 January
Contact 07926 423 033

ROAD PROTEST EVICTION ENTERS SECOND DAY AS LAWYERS SEEK 1066 INJUNCTION
Campaigners in trees and tunnels as total number of arrests reaches seventeen

Thursday 17 January, Crowhurst: The eviction of two protest camps against the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road (BHLR) enters its second day today, as lawyers seek a halt to preparations for the Road on the grounds that Combe Haven (where the camps are situated) may be the site of the Battle of Hastings.

Five campaigners were arrested during the first day of the eviction yesterday, Wednesday 16 January. Other campaigners are still locked-on up trees and down tunnels at the two camps.

The camps, which have been in place since 21 December, are located on the proposed route of the BHLR close to Adam’s Farm, Crowhurst [2]. The peaceful protests against the road– which have now been running for a month, with 17 arrests – have seized national attention over the past week [3].

Tree-felling work for the road started on 14 December 2012 and represents the first significant work on the highly-controversial 3 mile £100m road, one of over forty “zombie roads” that were declared dead years ago but have now been resuscitated as part of as part of Britain’s largest road-building programme in 25 years [4, 5].

In an interesting parallel development, Bexhill-based anti-road group BLINKRR yesterday publicised legal moves seeking an injunction to halt the road based on evidence that Crowhurst is the true site of the Battle of Hastings [6].

Contact 07926 423 033

NOTES
[1] www.combehavendefenders.org.uk
[2] Nearby postcode TN33 9AY. For map see http://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/camp-groundrules-directions/
[3] http://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/recent-media-coverage/
[4] See ‘Controversial ‘zombie roads’ scheme to be resuscitated’, Guardian, 10 October 2012, http://tinyurl.com/zombieroads
[5] http://bettertransport.org.uk/media/26-Oct-roads-report
[6] http://www.blinkrr.org/downloads/ESCC-15.1.13.pdf. For more info contact BLINKRR on 07989 781199