Opposition to Cumbria’s new coal mine continues months after the decision was reached.

Members of the Carlisle branch of Extinction Rebellion took to the streets outside Cumbria County Council’s offices on Botchergate to protest the plans to build a deep coal mine in west Cumbria.

The small group were calling on the council to revisit the decision to approve the mine, which they believe is a step backward.

Helen Davison, councillor for Belah and Kingmoor, said: “The county council approved a coal mine just at this point in our history when we have got to be dramatically reducing our carbon emissions.

“We’re here to raise awareness outside the county council offices that this is not the time to do it - we’re in a climate and environment crisis.”

Environmentalists argue that not only will the mine be bad for the environment, there is also a potential danger with it being built so close to Sellafield.

Plans for the coal mine were unanimously passed in March as it will bring jobs back to the area.

Since then the government has declared a climate emergency and a citizen’s assembly is set to take place in the autumn - these are two of Extinction Rebellion’s three demands.

Henry Goodwin, a member of Extinction Rebellion, said: “There are other ways to bring jobs, we should be bringing green jobs.

“This kind of short-term thinking has led us to the problems we’re facing which includes the potential extinction of human society.”

They were met by a mostly supportive public, drivers beeped their horns at them and gave them the thumbs up.

This protest was part of an entire day of raising awareness about local environmental issues.

Alisdair McKee, spokesman for Extinction Rebellion Carlisle, said: “It’s about changing the way we employ people, it’s about changing the way we use our resources.

“We can all do something, it’s not about people making big statements, it’s about people making small changes.”

Most of the group had cycled from Carlisle Lake District Airport where they had spent the morning peacefully protesting the launch of commercial flights.