In opposition to the proposed new coal mine near Whitehaven, large banners that read “No Time for a Coal Mine” were hung on Friday October 27.

Protesters from Extinction Rebellion (XR) alongside local residents hung banners at the M6 junction at Penrith, the A66 at Keswick and Cockermouth, on bridges over the Staveley by-pass and the A591 at Kendal, at Garsdale Head and at Whitehaven.

The proposal for the first new deep coal mine in the UK for more than 30 years has been met with local, national and international opposition.

West Cumbria Mining (WCM) is looking to extract 64 million tonnes of coking coal from under the seabed, destined for use in steel manufacturing.

It is estimated that more than 95% of the Cumbrian coal will be exported because the UK’s four active blast furnaces are due to close down in the next decade.

If the mine goes ahead, it would result in the emission of more than 200 million tonnes of CO₂ as well as the release of the greenhouse gas methane.

 This summer, UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, called for the phasing out of fossil fuels to avoid climate catastrophe.  “We are hurtling towards disaster, eyes wide open,” he said. “It’s time to wake up and step up”

After the demonstrations, protester Ali Ross said, “The unfolding climate crisis will bring more extreme flooding, storms and heat here in Cumbria, and it threatens food and water security for many millions of people around the world, endangering lives and increasing mass migration as more areas become uninhabitable.  Tragically, it is those who have done the least to cause the climate crisis who are already suffering the most.  

“Digging up more coal is exactly what the science shows should not happen, and the community of Whitehaven deserves so much better” she continued, “What is needed is proper investment in green and sustainable jobs that will help to secure a safe future for everyone”. 

Since WCM submitted its first planning application in 2017 it has gone through several amendments, legal challenges and a public inquiry in 2021.

Secretary of State Michael Gove announced the Government’s formal approval of the mine in December 2022. 

However, this decision has been challenged by South Lakes Action on Climate Change and Friends of the Earth and the high court hearing of the case is now expected to take place early in 2024.