Protestors have erected 23 banners proclaiming ‘No time for a coal mine’ by major roads across Cumbria.
The banners, put up in time for the bank holiday weekend, have been created by new anti-coal action group No Time for a Coal Mine.
Members have also handed out leaflets to people in Carlisle, Keswick and Penrith.
The group objects to plans by West Cumbria Mining to create an £160 million mine off the coast of Whitehaven for coking coal.
The plans were given the green light by the Government in January, but campaigners are planning to challenge that decision in the High Court later this year.
Permission was granted following a Planning Inquiry, which was told West Cumbria Mining would extract around 2.7 million tonnes of metallurgical coal a year.
The firm said its “indigenous” coal would principally supply British steelmaking and industry in EU countries, while creating hundreds of well-paid jobs for people in West Cumbria.
It is estimated about 15 per cent of the coal extracted would go to UK-based companies, with the firm saying the rest would be exported to Europe.
Opponents dispute that claim and say they believe the coal would have to be exported to countries outside the EU.
Sarah McGowan who was born in Whitehaven and took part in the action, said: “We can all see the impacts of climate change. In Cumbria the summer has been a washout since June, while on the Hawaiian island of Maui people escaped firestorms by jumping into the sea.
“Meanwhile the IPCC has said we simply cannot afford to permit any new coal mines, the Government is flying in the face of reason. Our banners show the strength of feeling against the coal mine and our determination to keep the coal in the ground. The mine must be stopped.”
What are the arguments for and against West Cumbria Mining’s plans?
You can read the arguments for and against the plans for an off-shore coal mine here.
