Machines sabotaged at Rosewell/Castle Bridge Coal Mine (Scotland)

20 March 2011

“Extensive damage done to four dumper trucks, two large excavators, two heavy duty bulldozers, a generator and a pump.

On Equinox night we entered the gravel and coal opencast extraction site at Castlebridge near Rosewell, Mid Lothian. The absence of security and the conveniently unlocked cabs made our night very productive. Tyres were drilled, hydraulics and electronics cut. Inside the cabs we found all sorts of expensive goodies like GPS, radios and various dials and screens to rip out and smash. The excavators had a bewildering array of electronic panels and engines the size of cars, we did what we could to immobilise these machines that destroy our health and that of the earth.

Scottish Coal will repair what was done, but hopefully at great cost.

We took this action in solidarity with the communities of the Douglas Valley who are currently resisting plans to roll out three new mines over the next couple of years. We aim to undermine the use of coal as a fuel in this country as we will always be reliant on extraction elsewhere in the world, where the damage done to environment and communities is potentially much worse.

Love, Rage and Bolt Croppers.”