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.

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