M3 invasion highlights cost of protest

Around 1,500 anti-roads protestors poured onto the site of Tarmac's M3 extension last Saturday to demonstrate against the Criminal Justice Bill which they say will stop peaceful protest in the UK.

The demonstration was a further example of the type of protest which is now thought to be costing millions of pounds in security and repairs to damaged fences and machinery.

The DoT has reacted to contractors' concerns over the cost of demonstrations by allowing tenderers to include money in their bids for security measures.

Contractors have been asked to add in œ1 million to their bids for the sensitive œ45 million A34 Newbury bypass. This sum is ringfenced and is not part of the competitive bid.

This move is likely to be repeated in other sensitive schemes to compensate contractors who are likely to hit increasing opposition to building work.

A spokesman for Tarmac said of the weekend's protest: 'It was a peaceful event with no arrests and no injuries.

'Damage was minimal. They were fairly well behaved. Ninety policemen were there to protect the law, while we had Group Four staff to protect the security of our site.

'The fact is that they don't cost us a penny as it is the taxpayer who picks up the tab as any exceptional cost is passed to the DoT.'

The Bill at the M3 stands at œ1.9 million.

The Criminal Justice Bill comes into effect in late July and will introduce a new criminal offence of 'aggravated trespass' which is defined as entering land with intent to stop someone else engaging in a lawful activity.