Anti-nuclear demonstration 'could bring city to a halt'
CAMPAIGNERS against proposals to scrap nuclear submarines in Plymouth have warned their could 'bring the city to a standstill.'
About 300 people from all over the country are expected to descend on Plymouth on Saturday to take part in a mass national demonstration against the proposed Submarine Dismantling Project.
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FULL DISCLOSURE: Tony Staunton (above right) with Adelaide McBride, Phil Johns, Kevin Treweeks, Emma Wilson and Romaine King. Below: Emma signs the petition against making Devonport into a nuclear submarine breaking yard
The Ministry of Defence will be staging public consultation events until next spring about the possibility of setting up the SDP at Devonport Naval Base.
Plymouth is one of two sites being considered for the project, which would scrap 27 former nuclear-powered submarines over a 60-year period.
Saturday's rally, organised by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, will start at the Guildhall at noon and move to Devonport Park at 2pm before heading to the naval base's Camels Head gate.
A public meeting will take place the night before at the Friends Meeting House on Mutley Plain from 6.30pm.
Tony Staunton, a CND national committee member, warned that the rally was 'just the kick-off.
"It's the first public statement about the whole issue," he said. "It's at an early stage and there will be other demonstrations as time goes on.
"We aim to bring it to the attention of the public, MPs and councillors. I'd like to see the city brought to a standstill if they proceed with the plans."
CND's national chair, Kate Hudson, is expected to attend the demonstration.
Leafleting and petitioning with other CND members in the city centre yesterday, Mr Staunton said Plymothians needed to be fully aware of the plans.
Members have also created a 22-minute DVD entitled 'Stop the Nuclear Dump at Devonport', which can be viewed below.
"We know there are quite detailed talks going on between the Government and the Ministry of Defence about a compensation package for having the facility in Plymouth," Mr Staunton added.
"The MPs and city leaders want to maximise the deal. Our worry is simple; there's no compensation for cancer.
"There may be more money coming in to help projects such as Bretonside and the Life Centre, but there are no benefits for the people of Plymouth. We're calling for a proper public inquiry."
An MoD spokesman declined to comment on security arrangements before the demonstration, but said: "During public consultation, we will provide detailed information to allow people to express their views.
"No decisions on siting have yet been taken and those sites with potential for dismantling or storage activities are still subject to review before they are considered under public consultation. It is too early, therefore, to comment on the possibility of compensation packages for any of the potential sites.
"The primary aim of the SDP is to develop a safe method for dismantling submarines. The radiological risk to the public from activities at Devonport is already extremely low, and would remain extremely low if it was decided to carry out SDP activities there.
"Any activity will be subject to rigorous independent regulation by the Health and Safety Executive and by the relevant environmental regulators."
On Friday Plymouth's politicians and councillors met MoD officials at the Council House and all the leading figures present agreed they would push for compensation over the programme if it became a reality.
'Stop the nuclear dump at Devonport' activist video - part one
Part two
Part three
Part four
17 Comments
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by Michael, PLYMOUTH
Wednesday, October 28 2009, 1:56PM
“what a fool! you would trade the future of the city that you live in to safeguard a 'few' jobs. what if your children or grandchildren end up sterile or worse, i bet you would change your tune then.If things keep on this way we might as well put up a new sign as you enter the city........WELCOME TO PLYMOUTH, BRITAINS TOILET”
by concerned parent, plymouth
Wednesday, October 28 2009, 9:47AM
“Good grief¿..look at all this negativity ¿.. I am delighted there will be a demonstration here in Plymouth I for one do not want a nuclear dump on my door step or anywhere else for that matter, why do you?? All we will get from this dump is yet more risk of a nuclear accident and more pollution into our air and rivers.
There is a cleaner safer alternative you know in wind and wave power lets face it Plymouth has plenty of that!!!
Keep up the good work Mr Staunton my family will be there on Saturday to support you!
Concerned parent”
by Working man, Plymouth
Wednesday, October 28 2009, 12:29AM
“If scrapping Nuclear Subs in Plymouth safeguards a few jobs in the Dockyard, then I'm all for it. I'd like to see these tree huggers try to explain their stance to a family threatened with a life on benefits.”
by Andy, Plymouth
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 11:25PM
“Any protest which brings these serious issues to the attention of the people of Plymouth should be applauded. Without this kind of awareness raising the city is going to sleep walk into becoming a nuclear accident site waiting to happen. And all for absurdly expensive nuclear weapons that we can never use!”
by Tom Journier, Plymouth
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 10:17PM
“hx - hear hear!
I actually find it quite encouraging that those who comment here outlining their opposition to the protest continually deem it necessary to resort to irrelevant details and non-sequiturs to try and back up their arguments.
Ignoring relevant information, personal attacks are standard, and political opinions that differ to those of the people involved in the protest are used in the debate:
"extreme left wing rubbish and scaremongering....We ...don't need communists shoving leaflets in our hands at every opportunity."
"Am i correct in thinking Stupid Staunton was a follower of that traitor George Galloway?"
The only way to look at the issue sensibly is from an apolitical stance. Disregarding political stance, any action that can be taken to improve the lives not only for all humans (alive and not yet born), but also for the welfare of the entire biosphere, can only possibly be a good thing.”
by Glen, Plymouth
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 8:48PM
“Steve Plymouth
The march on Saturday is for the people sick and tired of having cr-p thrown at Plymouth and the lying so called professionals who tell us Plymouth becoming a nuclear dump will be good for the city!. Our wonderful Labour MP's think it will be good if they pay us compensation!!!!!. Wake up before it is too late, get to the march and object to this destroying project.”
by Steve, Plymouth
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 8:24PM
“What next then Tony? We are about to have the CND demo, we've had the UAF demo last week at the BBC, the recent diversity march and recently gay pride. When are we going to get a march/demo that represents the majority group that is sick to the back teeth of this lying, corrupt, extreme left wing government?”
by david, higher compton
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 7:38PM
“How about a campaign to ask the queen to dissolvethis lot of traitors that have lied to this country and are just aboutto hand us over to an unelected dictatorship .... now theres a protest I would attend !”
by kevan, usa
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 7:33PM
“Its all aplan by the jock polititians to kill of the rest of the yardies with radiation,so they can steal whats left of naval work without protest.”
by david, higher compton
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 7:31PM
“So easy to bring this town to a standstill ... just one car blocks the "keep clear" sign at charles cross roundabout and thats it for an hour ... see it every day ... backing right back to stonehose or cattedown or mutlley .... whats new ?”