The people occupying the trees in Dalkeith Country Park have issued an urgent appeal for more people to come to the Park immediately to stop the eviction of the protest site and stop the building of the road through the Park. On Friday 25th November a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court granted an eviction order and the sheriff officers could now move in at any time.

One of the protestors, speaking on the afternoon of Friday 25th November, told Indymedia Scotland:

“The Dalkeith Tree-sit near Edinburgh is under IMMEDIATE eviction threat. Eviction *WILL* happen either today or within the next few days.

If the tree-sit stays up TILL WEDNESDAY due to environmental regulations concerning bird and bat nesting, the road will be put off, possibly till this time next year. People are needed URGENTLY from all over to help.

�The judge granted an immediate eviction order in the court case "Occupiers of Dalkeith Country Park vs. Scottish Ministers" today Friday 25th at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. The occupiers were forced to represent themselves as no lawyer could be found to take on their case versus the Scottish Executive.

�Eviction is anticipated to take place as early as TODAY and although snow is falling, campaigners appeal for more people to help them. The tree-sit occupiers would welcome the presence of journalists to record any possible confrontation the police or other security forces may try to provoke.

�IF more people show up we could have enough to stop the eviction and we would beat the road!!! Trees are being felled!! One beautiful oak has been lost already.

�Although there is only a few hours left in the day, it is possible that if the Sheriff has climbing-teams and cherry-pickers ready, the tree-sit could be attempted to be taken down as of today. If not, it is possible eviction could happen anytime this weekend."

Protesters believe eviction will at latest definitely happen on Monday. It has been reported than when asked after court when eviction would begin, the Sheriff responded "today."

BACKGROUND INFO, CONTACTS AND DIRECTIONS

The protest site tree-sit was set up on 31st October to stop the building of a road "the Dalkeith Northern By-pass" of the A68 - through Dalkeith Country Park in Dalkeith, just south of Edinburgh.

Dalkeith Country Park is a historic 850 acre park that serves as a valuable wildlife habitat and is visited by 50,000 people annually. The proposed bypass would cut the wildlife habitat in two, and while the 1999 Strategic Road Review noted it would offer journey savings, it also noted the bypass would cause "generally negative ratings in the other environmental factors, including global air quality, water, ecology,visual impacts, heritage, and landscape character."

Although construction is not supposed to begin officially until the summer of 2006, because of the early spring nesting season of birds and bats, tree-felling is to begin immediately. In response to this emergency, anti-roads protesters have set-up a tree-sit and walkways in the pines that are in the path of the extension. Protesters will also be present at Midlothian Council's upcoming public review to help present the case against the bypasses through Dalkeith Park and through Bilston Glen.

Protesters have vowed to remain in the trees until the bypass is defeated.

CONTACT

Dalkeith Protest Site Phone: 07783904369

DIRECTIONS

Get to Dalkeith, just south of Edinburgh Scotland if not there already.

From Edinburgh, Lothian Buses 3 and 3a go to Dalkeith.

The site is in a stand of pines on the north side of the River Esk after the two branches have joined and near the cut for the overhead electric lines.

Enter Dalkeith Country Park at the north end- entrance off of the A6094 at Smeaton Lodge(between Dalkeith and Whitecraig). Go past Home Farm towards the River Esk, after crossing the bridge the protest site can be accessed by the first farm track on the left (note the site is not accessible for vehicles).

Alternatively, enter Dalkeith Country Park from the main entrance off of the High Street in Dalkeith. Stay on the road leading to the right past the adventure playground, shop and cafeteria; after passing the grazing fields and the power line cut the road will split. Take the left fork towards the River Esk. After crossing the bridge, the protest site can be accessed by the first farm track on the left.

Related

http://www.save-dalkeith-park.org.uk/