More than 25 people have gathered to support the three locked on. Two of those locked on are attached to the track itself and a third is hanging 30m above the ground from a nearby tree and whose support rope is tied to the tracks.

Large numbers of police are gathering to remove the protesters, and are bringing in cutting gear, but the protesters refuse to go.

“We refuse to move and will continue to block Solid Energy’s coal trains so long as they continue with their plans to destroy Happy Valley” commented Daniel Rae, one of those locked on.

“The coal from this mine will produce massive amounts of carbon dioxide emissions adding to climate change. Climate change is real and it is happening now and will be devastating if nothing is done about it. Yet despite their rhetoric, it seems neither state-owned Solid Energy nor the government are willing to do anything when their profits are threatened.”

ENDS
Media Spokesperson
Graham Jury: 027 307 0448

NOTES
1. The protest is located on the train tracks on the Christchurch side of the Lyttelton train tunnel in the Heathcote Valley. Access from Heathcote Valley School, on the Bridle Path Rd.)