Lead by residents near to Dipton and Leadgate, County Durham, Campaign to Protect Pont Valley was formed in response to Banks Group's 2018 acquisition of mining rights won by the liquidated UK Coal. The community had fought over 30 years to stop UK Coal, and in 2019 teamed up with national and international activists to bring a vibrant and inspiring campaign which mixed direct action with political lobbying and legal challenges.
Email: protectpontvalley@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/protectpontvalley
While the 500,000 tonne Bradley coal extraction site went ahead as planned in 2018, the campaign went on to prevent the extension of the mine, 'West Bradley' in June 2020. The company is not appealling the decision, so the campaign has successfully stopped the spread of opencast coal from Bradley in the Pont Valley.
The local campaign is still active in making sure the company meets it's obligations under the 12 month 'restoration' phase, to ensure the best possible reparation for the damage done to the valley.
The Bradley campaign raised the profile of campaigns against opencast coal mining in the UK, and supported and inspired the still active campaign in Newcastle, Defend Dewley Hill.
											
											
											
											
											
											
											
											
	                
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with love and rage! We in Greener Berwick are showing the film Finite in Berwick Friday 8 December