But as protesters broke through the fence and began to take matters into their own hands, Friends of the Earth found itself powerless to intervene. The British government said it was outraged at the action. There can be no justification whatsoever for such violent criminal behaviour. People feel empowered by direct action - and there's nothing that the government can do to stop them. A young girl holds a banner criticising the road-building company Costain Flames quickly took hold when a fire was started in this canteen building Click on photo for full size version.
Campaigners point to new development plans as evidence of corruption in the democratic process.
The road has nothing to do with relieving congestion. Although few doubt that the Newbury bypass will eventually be built, campaigners hope that the 15 million so far spent on security at the bypass site will discourage the government from going ahead with plans for further road-building schemes. Up to 200 new roads have been cut from the British government's transport plans in the last two years. Today we saw how angry thousands of people are at this government's abuse of democracy. Meanwhile, seventeen protesters were arrested after police and bailiffs stormed a separate road protest site near Honiton in Devon, where a two-year campaign has been fought against a new 50 million dual carriageway.