Green Belt protest walk

Organisers are hoping 500 people will step out along footpaths which would be overshadowed by the proposed building on land between Beighton and Woodhouse.

Network Rail wants to develop a 60ft high national engineering centre on land they own alongside Beighton Marsh and Woodhouse Washlands nature reserves.

They are promising around 150 jobs - but protesters have pointed out the majority will be workers transferred from other depots which will close.

More than 2,000 objections have been sent to Sheffield Council, which is expected to consider the application in November.

Now protesters are being urged to join the walk on Sunday, which starts from two locations at 11.30am and makes its way to Starbucks Farm in Woodhouse Lane, Beighton, for a peaceful rally around midday.

One group will set off from the Princess Royal pub in Retford Road, Woodhouse Mill, and walk via the washlands area.

The second group will start at the Junction pub in Station Road, Woodhouse, and walk past Beighton Marsh.

Organiser Sylvia Sellars said: "It would help if people wanting to take part could let one of the Stop Them in Their Tracks committee members know, or by logging on to our web site www.stopthem.co.uk, this is because we may need marshalls at road crossings.

"I am hoping for a really big turnout. We have had a lot of support from some politicans, but others still seem unconvinced of the weight of opinion against this, so a big show of solidarity may help change their minds."