Arrests at anti-nuclear protest

Six protesters have been arrested during a mass trespass at the Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset.

More than 50 people swooped on the perimeter fence of the land earmarked for two new EPR mega-reactors next to the existing power plant just after dawn on Monday 8th October.

A 14-foot banner reading, “Nuclear disaster zone. Boycott EDF” was hung across the gate. At 11am a total of 577 seed balls were thrown over the fence onto the construction area in a symbolic attempt to repair the damage already caused to the land. The seed balls represent the number of days since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.

Around 10 people are known to be still on the land owned by EDF Energy, with others are expected to join them.

Camilla Berens, spokesperson for the Stop New Nuclear Alliance, said:

“This is a major victory for the anti-nuclear movement, because the government has refused to listen to us and we have been forced to raise the game. We have successfully blockaded the main entrance to Hinkley Point on two occasion in the last year and now we have accomplished a mass trespass. Our message today is that we will continue to raise the game with peaceful protest until our voice in heard. The government’s new nuclear policy is on its knees. Investors are pulling out left right and centre. Even EDF Energy is looking for new partners to fund the Hinkley C project. It’s time to bin nuclear for good and look at countries like Germany that are creating an energy future that is safe, affordable and nuclear-free."