London undergrounds

Veteran environmental activist Swampy has left an anti-HS2 demonstration in a network of tunnels beneath central London, leaving just one protester left. Swampy, whose real name is Dan Hooper, was arrested after leaving the site in Euston Square Gardens on Thursday morning. With him was 18-year-old Blue Sandford, the daughter of Scottish landowner Roc Sandford, and an unnamed 22-year-old woman - both of whom were also arrested. The network of tunnels near Euston station was discovered on 26 January, having been created in secret by protesters who oppose the redevelopment of the area for the HS2 railway line. Eight campaigners have so far left the tunnels; however, HS2 Rebellion, the group behind the demonstration, says one person still remains underground. Advertisement On Thursday, the group said the latest three campaigners to leave were "well" and in "high spirits" after their arrest on suspicion of aggravated trespass. "They were taken … [Read more...] about HS2: One protester left in Euston underground tunnels after Swampy leaves

DRIVERS who will have to pay up to £690 to park outside their own homes are furious at their “gestapo” local council. Parking permits in Merton are set to increase based on each vehicle's emissions - in a bid to cut air pollution in the area and stop people using cars to get around. But it's thought that the permits would be the most expensive in Britain, with charges for the most polluting cars costing up to £540 per year. This is on top of the already existing £150 levy for all diesel vehicles and older petrol models. And all annual visitors’ permits in the Labour-controlled authority will increase to a whopping £690. Merton Council say the new scheme is being put in place to improving air and to reduce levels of carbon dioxide. But the new prices have sparked outrage with residents feeling frustrated and victimised. One Wimbledon local, David Folkerson says he couldn’t swap his old Audi for an electric car even if he wanted to. He told The Sun: “I’ve got an … [Read more...] about Drivers’ fury at ‘gestapo’ London council charging them £690 to park outside their OWN homes

P lastic packaging labelled “biodegradable” or “compostable” is misleading because most does not break down naturally and ends up polluting the environment, scientists have said. Experts from University College London (UCL) have criticised companies which sell products such as “eco-friendly” nappies, bags or cutlery without telling consumers it require industrial processors to break them down. The team said the UK has too few plants capable of recycling the material - around 170 - meaning much ends up in landfill. Consumers also mistakenly add “compostable” plastic waste to their food or garden compost, where it decomposes barely any quicker than normal plastic waste. The comments follow a recent study by the University of Plymouth which found that biodegradable plastic bags were still capable of being used as bags three years after being buried underground because they had degraded so little. … [Read more...] about Biodegradable plastic is misleading because most will not break down in compost heaps, UCL scientists say