WESTBURY’S anti-fracking campaign is gathering steam and will meet twice over the next fortnight as the group aims to help educate people about the potential risks associated with the controversial process.
Frack Free Westbury was set up after it was revealed last year that fossil fuel companies could be looking to drill beneath the town and surrounding villages in search of gas.
The group will be meeting on Wednesday 6th April at The Crown at 7.30pm, and intends to meet at The Laverton from 7.30pm on Thursday 21st April (date to be confirmed).
Group committee member Roy Inwood said, “Frack Free Westbury has been set up to endeavour to stop any fracking in and around Westbury. Other towns like Warminster and Frome have already set up their own groups.
“If you would like to know more about fracking or be part of the small friendly group which has been formed, there are various meetings coming up.
“It is very important that we all understand what fracking involves, and that fracking is not just one rig, but often dozens covering an area of approximately 10,000sq metres.
“This results in potential subsidence problems as they extract large volumes of water from the ground, leaving voids below. This will impact on house prices and most probably the cost of insurance.
“There is also the real prospect of water contamination and increased HGV traffic in the site set-up stages and the removal of contaminated residue.
“None of this would provide local employment as fracking companies tend to use their own work force.
“Let’s gather together and do something before it’s too late.”
Fracking is a process which involves pumping fluid into the ground to shatter rocks and release gas for extraction. It has attracted widespread criticism from campaigners who claim that it can pollute water supplies and cause earthquakes.
South Western Energy was offered licences last year to explore for gas in the Westbury and Trowbridge area, but no further information has been released about the firm’s intentions.
For more information about the group visit the ‘Frack Free Westbury’ Facebook page or www.whitehorsewestbury.com or email frack ing@whitehorsewestbury.com
