Author: simon
Vestas Blades Loaded Onto Barge
Tuesday, 22nd September, 2009 at 2:17 pm, Isle of Wight
The Vestas blades were this lunchtime removed from the Vestas plant in Newport and are now heading up the Medina on a barge.
We understand that all protesters acted peacefully and allowed the blades to be moved without problem.
It’s thought that there may be several more blades inside the plant so another barge is expected at the next high tide.
Photos after the jump.
Clicking on the thumbnails shows a larger version of the image.
Thanks for Chris Ash for the photos
Related posts:
- Vestas Protest: Completed Blades May Ship Tomorrow
Looks like Vestas are planning to ship their blades from... - Vestas Protesters Climb Up Southampton Crane: Updated (Photos and podcast)
Action continue today in Southampton.... - Vestas Sit-in: Police Statement On Food At Vestas Blades Protest
Police issue a statement saying that they're not stopping food... - Further Arrests During Vestas Blades Demonstration
Two more people have been arrested at the Vestas demonstration.... - Two arrests overnight at Vestas Blades: UPDATED
Two arrests overnight at the Vestas protest....
Email This Story To A Friend
[...] Some press coverage of today’s sorry events: VentnorBlog here [...]
(Report comment)
Hi I was there at the Marine Gates when the blades were moved and I was absolutely amazed by the amount of police presence, especially as there has never been any violence or trouble. This was over the top policing and is upsetting when you think that they and the Council are doing it all for a Danish company who did not look after their workers and could not care less about the Isle of Wight or its economy. I would like to know who is paying for all this policing. Vestas? or other workers like me. This is a question which needs answering by those involved. The Council and the Police should be ashamed of themselves.
(Report comment)
I totally agree! I asked a few officers (including top bods) who could not seem to be able to answer that question.
My guess is us island tax payers :(
(Report comment)
Clarkee you are quite correct, all island taxpayers carry the cost of all the policing and all other public costs involved in this unofficial dispute.
It will be felt in the 2010 budget.
(Report comment)
Police don’t work for Vesta’s but they have a duty of care and have to “keep the Queens Peace” don’t they? Imagine what would have happened if they were not present? even more problems and criminal offences committed no doubt…the blades (and protesters) would still be there costing more money in policing etc.
Perhaps if the protesters (and by that i mean the agitators/activists) hadn’t caused so much trouble previously (ie assaults, trespass, damage) then there wouldn’t have needed to be so much police presence.
(Report comment)
I replied to this last night but sadly my comment was not published.
The problem is that the cost of Public services being involved with unofficial industrial action will hit all island taxpayers in 2010.
It may not be more than a few pence in the pound, but we will pick up the cost of this whole sorry affair. Bob is quite right
(Report comment)
Well Bob! As you obviously know far more than anyone else, perhaps you would care to be more precise and list details as recorded by the Police of the allegations in which you state:- “Perhaps if the protesters (and by that I mean the agitators/activists) hadn’t caused so much trouble previously (ie assaults, trespass, damage) then there wouldn’t have needed to be so much police presence”. Otherwise your statement can only be damaging and remain alleged, not true facts!!
When commenting on any article placed on this site, especially to ones concerning the ‘Sacked and Redundant Vestas Workers and their Supporters’ you should only state honest facts, otherwise legal action could be sought and implemented.
(Report comment)
They are facts Lionheart, they are not alleged they are true im afraid and sorry if you feel they are damaging.. Freedom of information request can be submitted to police / council and other agencies you know to find out this information. if you feel the need to seek and implement legal action then go ahead!
All was reported in the media and here on VB so nothing is new. Also from 1st hand personal experience at the site / marine gate etc when Speaking with theo (one of the activists as he calls himself) at the marine gate – he was there when the damage was caused by the bags of cement being set with metal in them under the tent and was there when the police attended (see http://ventnorblog.com/2009/09/10/vestas-protest-update-from-marine-gate-photo-gallery) this was on the run way. this article on VB also mentions another male detained / dispersed. Urm the man who was arrested and charged with assault on a security guard and then he was arrested again for damaging (sorry unbolting) the CCTV tower. he was charged and appeared at court with these offences and it was all in the media as I am sure you are aware. The unbolting of the runway saftey railings and damaged lights was looked into by police as they were at the marine gate doing enquiries when I was there. If you dont believe me just ask some of the main protesters they will say the same (unless they lie to you)…these things happened. the 4 arrested 4 aggravated trespass from the cranes at southmapton the 2 reported to court for going on the blade runner barge, the trespass on the land on the vesta’s jetty, the roof top protest all required police involvement and those are the incidents I refer to as “causing trouble”. I do see it from both points of view but as Rob pointed out if the protesters were not there then neither would the police and then there would not be such a large bill to be footed by the tax payer
(Report comment)
Bob is correct in what he says, although I know for a fact that none of these offences were comitted by ex Vestas staff. Next Tuesday 4 people are appearing at Southampton Mags court for the crane fiasco, and 1 at newport. In any event, the police are only there because the protestors are, but it’s typical of the twisted logic used throughout this protest that you would blame the police for incurring costs. Perhaps we should save money by doing away with the police altogether, would that suit you?
(Report comment)