UK Coal still to evict Shropshire New Works protesters

Environmental campaigners are still waiting to be evicted from a site near an opencast mine in Shropshire, a month after an eviction notice was served.

UK Coal applied to mine New Works near the Wrekin area of outstanding natural beauty in Telford over 32 months.

Some residents objected but permission was granted by a planning inspector in October 2009 after a public inquiry.

Protesters set up illegal camps on the site in March 2010. UK Coal's eviction notice gave them until 5 July to leave.

'No expiry date'

There are about 15 protesters at the site who said they were against the extraction and burning of fossil fuels when alternative, more sustainable fuel sources were available.

UK Coal has legitimate planning permission to carry out mining operations.

A spokesman for the firm said it could take up to six weeks to enforce an eviction notice.

He said there was no expiry date for the notice and the protesters' current location was not disrupting mining operations, however UK Coal was committed to evicting trespassers.