ploughshares take action against aldermaston development - support them

ABOUT 20 people have staged a blockade at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston today (Monday).

The protest, organised by Trident Ploughshares, was over the proposed redevelopment of the Aldermaston site for ‘Project Hydrus’ – a new facility for conducting hydrodynamics experiments.

AWE and the Ministry of Defence submitted a planning application for the project to West Berkshire Council in August and, following on from a campaign by anti-nuclear groups across West Berkshire over the weekend, four people have this morning locked themselves to the Boiler House Gate, preventing people from accessing the site through the entrance.

One of the protesters, Brian Larkin, said: “We are particularly concerned because this will allow the UK to develop new warheads, which hasn’t been approved by parliament.”

“No information has been released by AWE to make it clear about what is happening and the risks to public health.”

Another protester, Chris Bluemel, who came from Southampton to chain himself to the gate, said: “We are fundamentally opposed to nuclear weapons, particularly at a time when the poorest in society are struggling as they are.

“It seems totally immoral to commit so much money to [Project Hydrus] and I feel that the argument that Trident is a deterrent that cannot be maintained.”

As a result of the protest, traffic is being diverted to other entrance gates around the site and it is currently being controlled by Ministry of Defence police.

AWE spokeswoman, Rachel Whybrow, said: “AWE recognises the democratic right of individuals to participate in lawful and peaceful protest activities.
“We understand that Trident Ploughshares' event will be peaceful. On site security as well as the Ministry of Defence Police will ensure that safety and security at AWE sites is not compromised as a result of the protest action.”
The protest follows on from the weekend’s activities, which saw an alliance of anti-nuclear groups take to the streets to highlight opposition to the planning application, during which they obtained 250 signatures in opposition to the proposals.

Trish Whitham, of Berkshire Greenpeace, said: ““AWE has not lifted a finger to consult the public on this major new development, so we weren't surprised to find that the majority of people had no idea about the plans for Project Hydrus and the concerns that they raise.

“Many of the people we spoke to were angry that the government plans to spend hundreds of millions of pounds on a major new facility for research into building new nuclear weapons at a time when local services are facing big spending cuts, and we had no difficulty in persuading people to sign up to oppose the development.”

NOTE you can support the activists by lodging your protest against project hydrus at