When the British Parliament decided to replace the UK’s nuclear weapons system Trident in March 2007, it agreed to new submarines and missiles, but not to refurbishing or replacing the warheads. Despite the fact that such a decision is not due until the next Parliament, continued building work at AWE and other evidence (including documents obtained by CND) suggests plans to test, design and build a new generation of nuclear warheads are already going ahead.

We must hold the Government to its continued assurances that the decision to replace Trident is not irreversible. There have been a number of positive developments relating to this recently, including the delay to the ’Initial Gate’ decision on replacing the Trident nuclear weapons submarines, until after the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May 2010. Previously, the Government planned to move on to the next stage of the replacement process during the Parliamentary recess in September. In addition to this, there has been increased support for disarmament, with a recent poll showing the majority of the British public want the country to rid itself of nuclear weapons.

There has been a diverse range of anti-nuclear campaigning activities over the decades - from lobbying and petitioning through to street activity, peace camps, and non-violent direct action, from Faslane in Scotland down to Devonport in south west England. All have their welcome place in the movement, and AWE Aldermaston is no exception, as many groups such as Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp, CND and Trident Ploughshares have all played a part in highlighting the role of the nuclear bomb factory.

Recent actions at Aldermaston have included:

• Easter Monday 2008 - the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the historic first march to Aldermaston, CND organised a demonstration which up to 5,000 people joined at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston, calling for No Trident Replacement.

• Monday 27th October 2008 - around 300 people gathered to blockade the base and there were 33 arrests, organised by Trident Ploughshares.

• Monday 15th June 2009 - 4 gates were blocked as different Trident Ploughshares groups converged on the base from different directions in a surprise action that took over 4 hours for the lock-ons in cars and a caravan to be dismantled.

Now we need action focused on the nuclear bomb factory at Aldermaston to increase, building on the work of the Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp and the non-violent direct actions by TP and Block the Builders. It is crucial we get a massive turn-out to blockade the base on 15th February 2010. We need to send a clear message that we will not tolerate nuclear proliferation and demand that the UK disarm its nuclear weapons now and stop further work on the replacement of Trident.

We’re calling on all of you to non-violently blockade the nuclear bomb factory. Join us! Be part of it!

For further information about Aldermaston visit the Ploughshares Website or the  Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp website