Menu
16/08/2013
Fracking Firm To Scale Back Operations
The energy firm behind controversial fracking works at a site in West Sussex has said it is to scale back its operations.
According to the BBC, the company, Cuadrilla, said it made the decision following police advice.
The announcement comes as more than 1,000 protestors are expected to descend on the site this weekend in opposition to the plans.
Cuadrilla started drilling at a site near the village of Balcombe two weeks ago, but exploration operations will now be halted. It is understood the number of workers on site has been reduced and large reinforced fences are being erected.
In a statement, the company said: "After taking advice from Sussex Police, Cuadrilla is scaling back operations ahead of this weekend's No Dash For Gas event.
"During this time, our main concern is the safety of our staff, Balcombe's residents and the protesters following threats of direct action against the exploration site.
"We will resume full operations as soon as it is safe to do so."
The firm is drilling a 3,000ft (900m) vertical well and a 2,500ft (750m) horizontal bore but said fresh permission would be needed before fracking for shale gas could begin.
For the past three weeks, environmental campaigners have camped outside the site with around 40 people being arrested. This weekend, Sussex Police said they believe more people will arrive for a six-day camp organised by the No Dash For Gas group.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Jamie Kelsey Fry, from No Dash For Gas, said the group would be doing "everything they can to make the country think twice" about the controversial process of fracking.
He added: "It was exactly these kinds of actions hundreds of years ago that gave women the vote with the Suffragettes. It's absolutely no different.
"This is not fun. People aren't going down there for fun. It's not fun to see the heavy policing that I predict will be happening over this weekend."
He said the protesters would be risking "their liberty and personal harm" to highlight awareness of the government's "disastrous choice" to pursue fracking.
Superintendent Lawrence Hobbs, of Sussex Police, said: "We are acutely aware of the impact that this is having on the residents of Balcombe and back their call to protesters not to engage in any criminal activity in the pursuit of their aims.
"We will continue to facilitate peaceful protest but newcomers to the site should be aware that if they commit criminal offences then we will collect the evidence and they will be arrested."
(JP/CD)
According to the BBC, the company, Cuadrilla, said it made the decision following police advice.
The announcement comes as more than 1,000 protestors are expected to descend on the site this weekend in opposition to the plans.
Cuadrilla started drilling at a site near the village of Balcombe two weeks ago, but exploration operations will now be halted. It is understood the number of workers on site has been reduced and large reinforced fences are being erected.
In a statement, the company said: "After taking advice from Sussex Police, Cuadrilla is scaling back operations ahead of this weekend's No Dash For Gas event.
"During this time, our main concern is the safety of our staff, Balcombe's residents and the protesters following threats of direct action against the exploration site.
"We will resume full operations as soon as it is safe to do so."
The firm is drilling a 3,000ft (900m) vertical well and a 2,500ft (750m) horizontal bore but said fresh permission would be needed before fracking for shale gas could begin.
For the past three weeks, environmental campaigners have camped outside the site with around 40 people being arrested. This weekend, Sussex Police said they believe more people will arrive for a six-day camp organised by the No Dash For Gas group.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Jamie Kelsey Fry, from No Dash For Gas, said the group would be doing "everything they can to make the country think twice" about the controversial process of fracking.
He added: "It was exactly these kinds of actions hundreds of years ago that gave women the vote with the Suffragettes. It's absolutely no different.
"This is not fun. People aren't going down there for fun. It's not fun to see the heavy policing that I predict will be happening over this weekend."
He said the protesters would be risking "their liberty and personal harm" to highlight awareness of the government's "disastrous choice" to pursue fracking.
Superintendent Lawrence Hobbs, of Sussex Police, said: "We are acutely aware of the impact that this is having on the residents of Balcombe and back their call to protesters not to engage in any criminal activity in the pursuit of their aims.
"We will continue to facilitate peaceful protest but newcomers to the site should be aware that if they commit criminal offences then we will collect the evidence and they will be arrested."
(JP/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 December 2013
Anti-Fracking Protesters Block Site With Wind Turbine Blade
A 56ft wind turbine blade has been used by anti-fracking protesters to block access to a shale gas test drilling site. The turbine blade was placed outside the Barton Moss site in Salford at around 05:30, in what has been described as a "symbolic action".
Anti-Fracking Protesters Block Site With Wind Turbine Blade
A 56ft wind turbine blade has been used by anti-fracking protesters to block access to a shale gas test drilling site. The turbine blade was placed outside the Barton Moss site in Salford at around 05:30, in what has been described as a "symbolic action".
18 June 2012
Protest Group Blockade Derbyshire Drilling Rig
Protesters are blockading a drilling rig in Derbyshire in opposition to the controversial fracking method of natural gas extraction. The 20-strong group, Frack Off, says it wants to prevent the rig moving from storage to a frack site in Lancashire.
Protest Group Blockade Derbyshire Drilling Rig
Protesters are blockading a drilling rig in Derbyshire in opposition to the controversial fracking method of natural gas extraction. The 20-strong group, Frack Off, says it wants to prevent the rig moving from storage to a frack site in Lancashire.
17 April 2012
Controversial Fracking Operations Get Go-Ahead
The controversial drilling method, fracking, has been given the go-ahead following a report by experts presented to the government. Despite having cause two earthquakes and causing serious doubts over the safety of the wells that have already been drilled.
Controversial Fracking Operations Get Go-Ahead
The controversial drilling method, fracking, has been given the go-ahead following a report by experts presented to the government. Despite having cause two earthquakes and causing serious doubts over the safety of the wells that have already been drilled.
29 July 2013
Protesters Delay West Sussex Oil Drilling
Protesters have delayed the start of exploratory oil drilling in West Sussex for at least 24 hours. Cuadrilla, the company behind the drilling, has said that protesters have blocked the entrance to the woodland site near Balcombe. It follows the stalling of delivery tankers for three days last week by protesters.
Protesters Delay West Sussex Oil Drilling
Protesters have delayed the start of exploratory oil drilling in West Sussex for at least 24 hours. Cuadrilla, the company behind the drilling, has said that protesters have blocked the entrance to the woodland site near Balcombe. It follows the stalling of delivery tankers for three days last week by protesters.
21 August 2013
Balcombe Protest Camp To Close
An ongoing protest camp in West Sussex over exploratory oil drilling is to close, with the landowners being told that the protesters would leave the site on Wednesday. A number of arrests were made at the Reclaim The Power camp in Balcombe, including Green MP Coraline Lucas, over fracking it was suspected energy company Cuadrilla would carry out.
Balcombe Protest Camp To Close
An ongoing protest camp in West Sussex over exploratory oil drilling is to close, with the landowners being told that the protesters would leave the site on Wednesday. A number of arrests were made at the Reclaim The Power camp in Balcombe, including Green MP Coraline Lucas, over fracking it was suspected energy company Cuadrilla would carry out.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
