PROTESTORS agains plans to turn the former Cwmbran police training college into a prison were out in force yesterday.

Around 200 people gathered at the site of the planned prison site for one last protest against the plan.

The Ministry of Justice announced on August 6 that the 39-acre site is one of four potential sites for a new prison in Wales.

A consultation on the proposals has been open since that announcement and will end on October 31.

In response to the proposals the ‘Oppose the Prison Action Group’, which is led by St Dials councillor Elizabeth Haynes, and Greenmeadow councillor Catherine Lewis, was set up and a petition against the plan has been signed by over 6,000 people.

A convoy of taxis from local firm Tiger Taxis joined in with the protest to show their support for the cause.

The three other potential places for the new prison are in Merthyr Tydfil, Wrexham and Caernarfon.

The Cwmbran site is already owned by the Ministry of Justice and is positioned within their original search area of the M4 corridor.

The ministry described it as a very good site as it provides good access to the courts and main centres of population, as well as good road and rail links from Newport and Cardiff.