PROTESTORS who have set up a camp to block the creation of an opencast coalmine have called on councillors for their support after moving to the verge of a public highway to comply with a court order.

The Pont Valley protesters were ordered to vacate land earmarked for four years of excavation work at Dipton, near Stanley. They have since moved off the Bradley site, and onto the verge by the A692, at the access gate to the land.

In an open letter to Durham county councillors they point out the council has voted three times to reject mining in the valley.

Two public inquiries and a High Court case later, the site has planning permission and a new developer, the Banks Group, is looking to carry out the scheme.

The campaigners are calling on councillors to urge their highways team to postpone any legal action they may be considering, saying the camp has been laid out in such a way as to ensure the safety of campers and users of the public highway, with no obstruction to the footpath.

The protesters have said they believe work has to be started by early June and have announced their intention to frustrate the process.

Brian Buckley, strategic highways manager at Durham County Council, said: “We remain in discussion with the protesters and Durham Constabulary to ensure the footpath and carriageway are kept clear and that their presence does not endanger the safety of the public.”