30178-85ABOUT 1,500 people gathered in West Swindon on Saturday to stage what they promised would be the first of many protests about plans for Swindon Town's new stadium.

The protesters assembled along Mead Way brandishing placards and waving flyers proclaiming "Forest Not Stadium".

With police permission, they intermittently blocked the busy road to cause traffic congestion and held aloft banners asking drivers to "beep to say no to the stadium".

With every car horn that sounded, the campaigners cheered and chanted, illustrating the strength of feeling at what was one of the town's largest-ever protests.

The event was safely organised by several marshals from the Swindon Forest Protection group.

The only sign of any trouble came when a driver refused to wait and tried to drive through the crowds.

Police were present and the incident was peacefully resolved. Officers said they were generally pleased with how the event was organised.

Campaigners had hoped to show how match-day crowds might affect traffic before moving on to the proposed site, which they claimed as their own after a one-and-a-half-mile walk around the community forest.

Organised by the Swindon Forest Protection group which was borne out of residents' concerns, the protest was labelled the May Day March.

Alan Hayward, event organiser, said: "This just goes to show what people power can do. Considering the weather today, this is a brilliant turnout. I am confident we can force the football club to re-think their plans and put their club somewhere else.

"We wanted to draw attention to our campaign and show just how badly match-day traffic would affect an already congested road.

"We've had a great turnout today which just shows how strongly residents feel about the football club's plans.

"It's not that we're against the football club, but we just feel this is the wrong location.

"Putting a 22,000 all-seater stadium here would create chaos.

"The football club and the developers have to listen to us. We are determined we can put a stop to this."

Despite the bad weather, protesters young and old turned out to voice their concerns.

Laura Moseley, 11, of Gairlock Close, Sparcells, attended the protest with her parents, Sarah and Simon.

She said: "I've come down today because I don't want to see a stadium put on top of our forest.

"We see deer there regularly and all sorts of other wildlife. How can they possibly consider putting a stadium here?"

Earlier in the week, the plans had gone on show to the public for the first time at Roughmoor hall in Peatmoor.

Residents packed the hall to take a look at the proposals and speak to representatives from the club and St Modwen, the developers.

Mark Devlin, chief executive of Swindon Town, said: "We always knew it would be difficult when it came to the residents most closely connected to the area.

"We are happy to listen to their concerns and take their suggestions on board."

Bill Oliver, chief executive of the development company, said: "I feel it is a bit early for people to be protesting.

"I don't wish to be patronising but we are in the very early stages of this. People may be protesting about things they do not necessarily fully understand.

"If, further down the line, they still wish to protest, then so be it."

The plans are due to go on show again at the County Ground on Thursday from 1pm until 8pm.

Leader of the council Mike Bawden has said the authority is yet to receive a planning application from the club and developer.

The application is expected to be with the council by the summer. Once it is, the council will follow its statutory duty and consider it.

Emma-Kate Lidbury