On Monday 16th Feb a small group of activists helped stop tree cutting at Blackwoood. The group, who came down for a few days from the north of england, joined with some site-activists to stop tree felling near the main street of Blackwood. They spent a few hours successfully disrupting work, until Costain officials and baillifs were brought in to protect the chainsaw crew. Even then, the baillifs were inexperienced and the Costain officials were uneasy with our presence. More people could run rings around them!

Disruption to the tree-felling was really easy to do - and more is needed! Costain have told the police that they don't need any help and can use their own security. This, as well as local police being against the road-building, has meant minimal police presence and intervention, so there's little risk of arrest. (This might be changing as police are rumoured to be bringing charges against Costain security??)

There are a multitude of other actions to be taken. Only a few hours of your time can make a huge difference. (Because of the injunction served on the site, those people living there are not really able to risk losing their homes through stopping work. This means that people visiting can be most useful by doing this.) Deliveries of equipment to the Costain work compound can be held up and building defences along the route are needed. Locals are really supportive, in terms of giving food etc, and teenagers are getting more actively involved in direct action. Local firms are being used for security and tree-felling - more pressure on them is urgently required. If you can't make it to Wales, you can always look up local Costain offices in your areas and tell them what you think. Also donations of climbing equipment are needed.

Everyone's really friendly but getting burnt out, so make your way there asap.

photos of monday will follow shortly.