ANTI-FRACKING campaigners in Westbury have stepped up their campaign to educate local people about the potential dangers of fracking.
The Frack Free Westbury group continues to try and spread its message that fracking should be opposed anywhere near Westbury. Campaigner Bill Jarvis was interviewed recently on ITV West news which will air this week.
Campaigner Val Jarvis explains the reasons why the campaign group believes people should be concerned about gas exploration in the area. She said, “There are many reasons people should be concerned. The drilling pad, of several acres, will be brightly lit and could cause light pollution, the 1-2 mile horizontal drill could be under houses therefor house prices fall in areas near fracking and house insurance becomes difficult and in some cases impossible.
“Also, water supplies from the use of millions of gallons of water per well (can be 8-10 wells per wells pad) could deplete our water table, the chemicals used can affect health, the greenhouse gas Methane is at minimum 25 times more dangerous than the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, as well as excess methane will be flared (burnt off) polluting the atmosphere.
“The fracturing of the rock could also release toxins into the water table. Westbury is supplied by an aquifer at Upton Scudamore and there is no other water source.
“There would also be a huge impact to local roads of multiple tanker truck movements taking water and toxic chemicals (some of which are radioactive) to and from the site.”
To find out more about local campaigners join Frack Free Westbury on Facebook or go to www.whitehorsewestbury.com and www.keepwiltshrefrackfree.org or email fracking@whitehorsewestbury.com
