Day 16, Tuesday 1st February 2005

About 14 people gathered at daybreak to protest against the gagging injunction, before going off to work - see pictures.

I'd just walked Luke to school when I was called back to the site, and was surprised to be "ambushed" by around 40 Stoke Hammond residents, plus press. The verge resembled a car park. Stitch-up or what? The "event" was attended by police, who took no photographs or videos (for a change - perhaps they'd run out of stock?), county councillor Brenda Jennings and Bucks CC Area Manager Steve Orchard.

All seemed rather disappointed that there was no anti-bypass protest still going on, but I explained (to their disappointment, I think) that most of us had responsibilities such as jobs, childcare and so forth.

Thanks to the 14 or so who turned up to protest the injunction this morning - very brave people, taking on a draconian and untested use of the law which could lead to imprisonment and huge fines.

Anyway, we've now got the injunction modified, thanks to some very helpful lawyers - we're allowed to protest and observe, on the highway, on the verges and on the public footpaths. Which is no better than it should be, of course, but represents a huge improvement over the situation since the end of last week.

The case will now be heard next week, on Feb 8th, in the High Court.

Meanwhile, work goes on - we've set up a public meeting in Stoke Hammond on 12th February and we're still keeping a watch on the site.

Spirits are high after a good day, legally and in publicity terms.

Results from the High Court

The terms of the Injunction were changed from a total blanket ban from "protesting", to allowing "any reasonable activity along the B4032 Leighton Road (where the local residents have been demonstrating daily) and footpaths, including observing, and protesting against the construction of the bypass. As long as that activity does not reasonably impede the right of the Public to pass and re-pass, and the ability of the Claimant to carry out works".

There is still a ban on direct action (which is to be expected), but at least local people are now allowed to carry on their vigils, demos and protests which they have kept up for over two weeks.

The local campaign are regrouping to discuss future action (including considering legal action resulting from breaches of Habitats Directive), Public Meetings, vigils etc.

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