Protesters lock themselves to rail line - stop coal trains

Solid Energy coal trains bound for Lyttelton Port have been halted by environmental protesters who locked themselves onto railway tracks near Christchurch today.

Protest organisers say they have stopped three Solid Energy coal trains from reaching the port.

The protesters from the Save Happy Valley Campaign oppose Solid Energy's plans for an open-cast coal mine in Happy Valley on the West Coast.

More than 25 people have gathered to support the three locked on. Two of those locked on are attached to the track itself and a third is hanging 30m above the ground from a nearby tree and whose support rope is tied to the tracks.

Protest organisers reported that police had gathered to remove the protesters, and were bringing in cutting gear.

"We refuse to move and will continue to block Solid Energy's coal trains so long as they continue with their plans to destroy Happy Valley," Daniel Rae, one of the protesters locked on, said.

In March four protesters locked themselves to the Solid Energy office in Christchurch and two were subsequently arrested.

The Environment Court earlier this year ruled in favour of Solid Energy's proposal after an appeal from the Buller Conservation Group and Forest and Bird.

- NZPA