Fracking debate

Thanks, I feel, to you and to pressure exerted by various groups, such as Frack Free Ryedale and the Green Party, to name but two, and by many individuals, our political representatives have been able to secure a reprieve from the immediate effects of fracking.

Now then is the time to gird our loins for the real battle, combatting the threat other UK communities face because we have been spared the threat. Outside those communities, up until now immediately threatened, there seems to be little public awareness of the dangers of this energy policy.

Should we not be working to make fracking a real issue for the forthcoming elections? This is not an issue solely for the voters of Stonegrave, Balcombe, Ellesmere Port: it is an issue for the entire UK electorate. Once again, let us ask our political representatives to press for an indefinite moratorium.

David Cragg-James, Stonegrave

• IT is reassuring that people are starting to voice concerns about the threat of fracking both locally and in the country as a whole. I note the report in last week’s Gazette & Herald that Norton councillors have also expressed opposition.

I just want to point out that, although new to the UK, fracking has been practised elsewhere for decades, mainly in remote areas of North America and Australia, where the complaints of the few people who suffered went mainly unheard.

Only more recently has the fracking industry turned to more populated areas such as the UK. Concerns about the very real problems that arise are thus based on experience.

Humans need, above all else, clean air and pure water. It is the threat to our underground water supplies, apart from the other damage to our environment, both long and short term, which should rule out fracking. This is why some countries, and states in the US have said no. Most others are being cautious. Why is our Government so keen?

Roger Foreman, Swinton

• ANNE MCINTOSH claims to support her constituents against Third Energy’s fracking bid at Kirby Misperton but, once again, she has not stood by her promises.

She chose not to vote on the amendments to the Infrastructure Bill on Monday, which could have placed a moratorium on fracking in this country. This was despite being present during the preceding debate. Does she really expect anyone to take her seriously when clearly it means so little to her to keep her word?

Simon Wilkinson, Thornton-le-Dale

• Fracking blocked after last minute u-turn>>