Protesters plan to run Brum off the road

MILITANT anti-road protesters are planning to hijack one of the greatest days in the history of Birmingham.

As world leaders convene for the G8 Summit in the city in ten days' time, it is claimed that thousands of protesters from the Reclaim the Streets movement will be attempting to cripple Birmingham's transport infrastructure.

The radical environmental group, which is dedicated to overthrowing the "cult of the motor car", has pledged to blockade roads and obstruct traffic with mobile sound systems and performance artists.

A spokesman for Reclaim the Streets said the action, titled "Gyrate not G8", would have a mischievous edge with clowns trying to ambush government leaders and their "corporate cronies" with custard pies.

He said: "In Birmingham there will be eight men deciding what is going to happen to the rest of the world. This action will give ordinary people the experience of taking some power themselves."

It is not an idle threat. Previous actions by Reclaim the Streets have created chaos in London. Three years ago, protesters put down carpets and food stalls in Upper Street, Islington, one of Britain's busiest roads. As traffic tailbacks built up, an armoured personnel carrier broadcast music by Jimi Hendrix. Other actions have seen Camden High Street, north London, blockaded for the day, and the M41 motorway in west London occupied by thousands of protesters on bicycles.

Ironically for a city which has long celebrated its links with the motor industry, Birmingham has recently redesigned much of its city centre to cater for pedestrians.

But the greening initiative did not impress Reclaim the Streets. "Pedestrianisation is not the answer," said the spokesman. "We need to tackle the root causes of traffic."

West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council are aware of the planned protest and are taking contingency action. A police spokesman said: "Any lawful protest we have no problem with. But we have contingencies should they become unlawful."