300 at Plymouth anti-nuclear protest

CAMPAIGNERS protesting against possible plans to scrap nuclear submarines at Devonport Dockyard descended on the city for an organised protest at the weekend.

Around 300 people turned out in support of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament who believe that Plymouth will be turned into a dumping ground for nuclear submarines.

The rally began with a march through the city centre before speeches outside the Guildhall. The group then travelled to Devonport Park before a protest march along the dockyard wall, finishing at the site’s Camels Head entrance.

“We have had a great turn out with around 300 people joining us in the city,” said Plymouth TUC vice chair Dave Franklin.

Protestors from around the country travelled to Plymouth to join in with the march.

People of all ages lent their voice to the campaigning crowds, many waving ‘stop the nuclear dump’ and ‘no trident replacement’ banners.

They were protesting against the controversial Submarine Dismantling Project (SDP), which, if implemented, could see 27 de-fuelled nuclear subs stored and cut up at Devonport over the next 60 years.

“Babcock have chosen the least expensive and most dangerous of three options to dismantle decommissioned nuclear submarines in the open in the dockyard,” said Mr Franklin.

“We are concerned about the possible impact on the city both in terms of health with low level radiation levels and accidents.”

Three generations of one Plymouth family joined in with the protest. Sue Avent was one of the campaigning crowd, along with her husband, daughter and grandson.

“We do not want Plymouth to become a centre for nuclear waste,” she said.

“We are not anti-nuclear, we realise that having a nuclear deterrent is important, but we do not want a nuclear dump in a city the size of Plymouth.”

There was a small police presence at the Camels Head demonstration, which was described by MOD spokesman Guy Boswell as peaceful and ordered.

“The decision about where the SDP is going to be done hasn’t been made yet,” he said.

“A public consultation started last week and it is going to continue for some time.”

'Stop the nuclear dump at Devonport' activist video - part one

Part two

Part three

Part four