RNAD Coulport was blockaded this morning resulting in four arrests.

This morning three people from Faslane Peace Camp and three members of Trident Ploughshares blockaded the main gate at RNAD Coulport as the day shift arrived for work. Using multi-layered lock on tubes of plastic, steel and washing line they effectively stopped all traffic entering the gate for three hours. The four blockaders were all charged with “Breach of the peace”. An attempt to also obstruct Construction Gate was prevented by the presence of MoD police who said they were waiting for the end of their shift.

 Coulport is the facility for storing UK’s Trident nuclear warhead in bunkers dug into the hillside, on the side of Loch Long. The site of RNAD Coulport was formerly occupied by the village of Coulport and “Kibble Palace” the large Victorian greenhouse now removed to the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow. The village was also one end of the ferry to Ardentinny on the opposite shore.

 Dave from Faslane Peace camp said, “ Trident cannot be justified at any level. We call on the government to work towards disarmament of the UK’s WMDs, and to abandon any renewal of Trident. The money, resources and the scale of human initiative and energy spent on maintaining Trident, and the billions of public money required if the Trident upgrade goes ahead, is desperately needed to tackle the global crisis of climate change instead of threatening mass destruction.”

 Bob from Trident Ploughshares said, “People in Scotland do not want Trident. The UK’s deployment of Trident promotes global conflict and proliferation. Whilst the Government fails to meet its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, we’ll continue to do what we can to peacefully oppose Trident and plans for its renewal.

 Matt, one of those arrested, commented ‘Recently there has been a number of statements questioning the continued deployment of Trident. As a responsible citizen I must continue to act whenever I can to create the political will which makes all nuclear weapons unacceptable so as to create a nuclear-free world’.

 Today’s action comes shortly after five members of Trident Ploughshares walked straight through the gates of HMNB Clyde, at Faslane on Monday 17th August, where they reached the inner high security fence. All 5 were charged with a violation of SOCPA (Serious Organised Crime and Police Act.)

 For more info contact:-

Faslane Peace Camp 01436 820901