Bypass guards' coach 'sabotaged'

Police are investigating claims that Newbury bypass protestors have slashed brake pipes on a coach carrying security guards and workmen to the site.

More than 20 demonstrators surrounded the coach at Chieveley service station on the M4 to the north of the Berkshire town. It was understood that the driver later examined the coach and believed the brakes had been tampered with. Traffic police were yesterday examining the 25-seat coach.

Only four people were arrested at the site yesterday, one for criminal damage. However, a workman was also questioned after claims that a felled tree had been aimed at demonstrators.

Police fear the coach incident could mark the beginning of the sort of "direct action" called for on the Internet by radical demonstrators over the weekend. One of the tips - embedding nails into trees due to be felled - was put into action.

Thames Valley police Sgt John Ryan, said that if the brake cutting allegation was correct it was a disturbing development. "There was some confrontation with about 20 protestors and it then that the contractors claim the interference happened," he added.

Earlier this month Horseman Coaches was forced to pull out of its contract to transport security guards to the bypass route after demonstrators chained themselves to the gates of the company's Reading base.