Wimpey bid for peace shattered

Wimpey's creditable attempts to keep the controversial M77 site near Glasgow peaceful were dashed this week by two high profile incidents on the site involving anti-road protestors.

Demonstrators disrupted the work of local tree felling subcontractor John Meikle last Thursday and Friday as site clearance began in earnest.

Two days later government minister and local MP Allan Stewart grabbed a pickaxe in a confrontation with protestors on the M77 site. Police are investigating the incident which led to the Minister's resignation on Tuesday (7 February).

Protestors say they are determined to stop the œ53 million project going ahead and are set on disrupting the work. The move could damage Wimpey, which must pay 100% of security costs up to a capped figure, and 15% of any costs over this figure.

The bidders for the project were allowed to put œ2.5 million in as the capped figure but could put in a lower figure if required. Wimpey will not say what figure it submitted, but the firm will be keen to minimise disruption as it must also take the burden of delays caused by demonstrators.

Last week the firm began clearing the 1,000 or so trees that must be removed from the site but protestors discovered the work and began chaining themselves to chainsaws and knocking 6 inch nails into trees to prevent cutting.

Wimpey says there was disruption before the weekend but work is now underway.

n A construction worker accused of injuring a roads protestor in the hydraulic ram of a mechanical digger is to appear in court this week.

Peter John Rutter, a subcontractor working on Tarmac's M65 contract, will appear at Leyland Magistrates Court on 13 February, charged with attempted GBH. The hearing relates to an incident on Tarmac's site last September. Protestor Martin Galaghan was injured by the digger during a demonstration on site.