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<H1><FONT size=1>apologies for cross-posting....</FONT></H1>
<H1><FONT size=4>Update on Dalkeith tree-sit eviction......</FONT></H1>
<DIV>The resistance to the eviction will continue tomorrow tuesday, almost
certainly on wednesday, very probably for the rest of the week,
and possibly into next week. Three of the four protest sites are
still intact, with all the tree-sitters still in place. The protestors
urge people to join them. Whether you want to climb a tree, or just be
there for moral and legal support, or something in between, there are things you
can do. Below article from scotland.indymedia.org with directions on how to get
to two of the protest sites, please do post to the site with your news if you go
out there. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=5>Dalkeith protestors defy eviction</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=5></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV class=sumbody>
<DIV class=summary>Protestors are still in the trees and in the protest sites at
Dalkeith Country Park. The eviction attempt started Monday 16th early morning,
but as of 3pm Monday afternoon three of the four protest sites remain intact.
"We urge supporters to come and join us," one of the protestors said. "It's not
too late to take a stand against this road madness." <BR><BR>Protestors are
opposing the building of the A68 bypass through the Park, just south of
Edinburgh. The authorities said today they expect the eviction to take two
weeks. </DIV>
<DIV class=summary> </DIV>
<DIV class=body>Early this morning Police bailiffs raided one of the sites, top
site, and have established a security cordon around it. As of 3pm at least one
protestor remained in the trees at Top Site determined to resist eviction and
the cutting of the trees in this part of the River Esk wildlife corridor in
Midlothian. <BR><BR>Police mobilised climbers and machinery to remove those in
the trees. Two arrests were reported. Protestors moved high into the trees to
complicate the eviction process. They are filled with a passionate desire to
protect these woodlands against what is viewed as senseless and inappropriate
destruction of a significant ecological habitat.<BR><BR>As of late Monday
afternoon middle site and bottom site of the protest were still intact, with
demonstrators still in all the occuppied trees. More protestors were walking
into the main bottom site where protestors were still in control of the camp.
There was a police presence but they were only monitoring the situation.
Indymedia has no confirmed news from the fourth site but it is believed to be
intact.<BR><BR>A supporter of the protest told Indymedia :”We call on people to
come to Dalkeith Country Park to show solidarity. We cannot let this senseless
profit-fuelled destruction go ahead.” Protestors are arranging transport to the
site from the Forest Café on Bristo Place in nearby Edinburgh. Other protestors
are making their way from Edinburgh by public transport, to join locals from
Dalkeith and area (transport info at end of article).<BR><BR>The first of the
four protest sites at Dalkeith Country Park was established on the 31 October
2005 due to information that tree felling for the A68 bypass (to be constructed
during the summer of 2006) was to proceed immediately. Since that time, all
areas in around the park where tree felling is necessary for the proposed bypass
have seen the establishment of protest sites to defend against this large-scale
habitat destruction. <BR><BR>The number of people involved in protesting the
routing of the A68 Bypass through the country park has increased significantly
since the establishment of the first protest site and includes strong support
from many people local to the Dalkeith area.<BR><BR>Campaigners are adamant that
before construction on the A68 bypass continues, a new Public Inquiry needs to
occur. Since planning permission was granted for the bypass in 1993, all
information regarding the need for its construction is dated from 1992 or
earlier. A proper Environmental Impact Assessment has never been completed, the
last Public Inquiry was in 1992, and the need for this bypass has not properly
been reassessed since major changes to the transport infrastructure of the area
(the dualling of the A1, the building of the A7 Dalkeith bypass, and the
potential reopening of the Borders Rail Link). In 1999, the Strategic Road
Review stated that the A68 Northern bypass should be held in abeyance until the
completion of the Multi-Modal Transport study (to be completed in 2006) which
would consider the need for the bypass with regards to these change.
<BR><BR><FONT size=4><STRONG>TRANSPORT TO DALKEITH COUNTRY
PARK<BR></STRONG></FONT>Transport is being arranged from the Forest Café, Bristo
Place, near George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, which is also acting as an info point
in Edinburgh. More info 077532 80009<BR><BR>You can also make your way there
independently, by Lothian bus 3 and 3a from Edinburgh, directions
below.<BR><BR>Dalkeith Protest Site Phone: 077839043697<BR><BR><FONT
size=3><STRONG>DIRECTIONS to two of the Protest
Sites<BR></STRONG></FONT>(There are four sites in total)<BR>Please bear in mind
the police may be obstructing access - though today monday it was possible to
walk in.<BR><BR>The site is in a stand of pines on the north side of the River
Esk after the two branches have joined and near the cut for the overhead
electric lines.<BR><BR>Enter Dalkeith Country Park at the north end- entrance
off of the A6094 at Smeaton Lodge (between Dalkeith and Whitecraig). Go past
Home Farm towards the River Esk, after crossing the bridge the protest site can
be accessed by the first farm track on the left (note the site is not accessible
for vehicles).<BR><BR>Alternatively, enter Dalkeith Country Park from the main
entrance off of the High Street in Dalkeith. Straight ahead after you go through
the gates, then stay on the road leading to the right past the adventure
playground, shop and cafeteria; after passing the grazing fields and passing
under three power lines cut the road will split. There is a prominent Scots pine
here. Take the left fork towards the River Esk. After a short distance, again
take the left fork when the road splits and go down the hill. After crossing the
bridge, the protest site can be accessed by the first farm track on the left.
This is around 35-40 minutes walk.</DIV>
<DIV class=body> </DIV>
<DIV class=body>To get to the middle site if travelling by public transport...
enter Dalkeith Country Park from the main entrance off of the High Street in
Dalkeith. Straight ahead after you go through the gates, then stay on the road
leading to the right past the adventure playground, shop and cafeteria. As you
approach the big power lines look to your right and you will probably see the
tree houses. At the spot where the power lines cross the road, you
can go up to the right to reach the site through the wood. Today
there were piles of temporary fencing here, so the police are probably going to
try and prevent access at some point.<BR><BR>From Edinburgh, Lothian Buses 3 and
3a go to Dalkeith, you can use a day ticket for this journey. The bus goes
east along Princes St and then up the bridges.<BR><BR>For more information on
the campaign to Save Dalkeith Country Park, visit <A
href="http://www.save-dalkeith-park.org.uk/"><FONT color=#990000><A
href="http://www.save-dalkeith-park.org.uk/">www.save-dalkeith-park.org.uk</FONT></A>/</A>
</DIV>
<DIV class=body> </DIV>
<DIV class=body>from <A
href="http://www.scotland.indymedia.org">www.scotland.indymedia.org</A></DIV>
<DIV class=body>if at Dalkeith post your news to this site....</DIV>
<DIV class=body> </DIV>
<DIV class=body>RECOMMENDED LAWYERS</DIV>
<DIV class=body>Wilson and McLeod 0131 556 0055 office hours</DIV>
<DIV class=body>Rhona McLeod 07831 381366 plus see yellow pages under Wilson and
McLeod for other solicitors
mobiles</DIV></DIV></FONT></DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>