Anti-fracking protest on White Horse

ANTI-FRACKING campaigners gathered on Westbury White Horse recently in a demonstration organised by Keep Wiltshire Frack Free, as part of a national day of solidarity.

80 people braved gale-force winds to adorn the White Horse with anti-fracking slogans and express their anger at plans to search for gas – ‘coal bed methane’ – in the Westbury and West Wiltshire area. The demonstration was the first meeting of members of Frack Free Westbury.

The protest came as the Government  announced plans to strip local councils of the power to stop fracking operations. Westbury town councillor David Jenkins has accused the Government of ‘attacking local democracy’ with the move 

Warminster resident and member of Keep Wiltshire Frack Free Jon Davies said, “Hundreds of wells would be needed to make the fracking industry profitable, which is why unconventional gas exploitation such as shale and coal bed methane is so much more invasive than conventional gas, and has such a negative impact on the community in terms of pollution and HGV traffic.

“It would industrialise the countryside and the effects on tourism and local house prices could be terrible.

“The risks of water contamination and air pollution are very real and we have no confidence in the regulatory regime to protect us. We urge people to do their own research and see the facts for themselves. We would much rather see the renewable energy industries receive more support and suggest readers consider switching to a green energy supplier. The fracking industry is unwanted, unnecessary and unsafe and we do not want Wiltshire to turn into a gasfield.”

Local protest groups were spurred into action last summer when the Westbury, Trowbridge and  Warminster area was revealed as a target for gas exploration. South Western Energy was then awarded a licence to search in the area, and has registered its commitment to drilling.

The Government later removed restrictions on drilling underneath previously protected areas, exposing Salisbury Plain and the Westbury White Horse to possible works.

Just last month it was revealed in The Telegraph that the Government could be planning to introduce measures to override county councils’ planning departments, and give companies the power to drill without the permission of the local authority.

Fracking, which involves pumping fluid into the ground to shatter rocks and release gas for extraction, is widespread in the USA and campaigners say it is damaging the environment.

One campaigner at the White Horse demonstration mentioned the effects fracking is having on Oklahoma. An article in the New York Times recently claimed that, in Oklahoma, the number of earthquakes measuring three or higher on the Richter Scale rose from three in one year five years ago, to 907 in 2015.

The article read, “Virtually all the quakes are the result of slippage in faults that have effectively been lubricated by watery wastes from oil and gas production that have been pumped underground.”

Other concerns raised by protestors include the possible contamination of water supplies, falling house prices, and increased traffic pollution.

Film showings

Frack Free Westbury will be showing the film ‘The Truth Behind the Dash for Gas’ at the Laverton this Thursday 11th February at 7.30pm, and again at Dilton Marsh Memorial Hall from 7.30pm on Thursday 3rd March.

All are welcome to both free events. Contact Susie Atterbury via susieatterbury66@gmail.com  for more details.

To join the local campaign group search Frack Free Westbury on Facebook, or visit www.keepwiltshirefrackfree.org