LETTERS: Fracking - it all starts with just one well

His last paragraph “We look forward to being able to continue responsibly developing our operations in the future in the same safe, discreet and environmentally sensitive way”.

Is a 37 metre high fracking rig operating 24/7 discreet? Are hundreds of heavy lorries on narrow country roads discreet? Is the noise of a fracking pad environmentally sensitive? Why would Mr Dewar offer to install triple glazing in the home of a Kirby Misperton resident?

One frack uses the same amount of water as two Olympic swimming pools. Where will all that come from?

If this test frack is successful, Third Energy say that, to be viable, they will need 19 more of these pads with multiple drill holes on each one in Ryedale alone. Up to 950 drilled wells.

Mr Dewar says that having our own onshore gas will give us security, but seems to forget that all the gas produced in the UK is traded on the open market and sold to the highest bidder. The UK currently exports nearly 30 per cent of the gas it produces.

Also, let us not forget the multinational company Ineos, which now possess 19 PEDL licences across our area, some are in the North York Moors National Park.

Ineos has recently said that in a 10km by 10km area, there is a potential for up to 396 wells. This is industrialisation on a grand scale.Very worryingly, Ineos need shale gas to produce plastics. Plastics in our seas are a serious form of pollution.

I urge everyone to research the fracking industry and find out how it will affect our land, our water supply, our heritage, farming, tourism, wildlife and our precious health.

It all starts with just one well.

Sue Cuthbert, Newton-on-Rawcliffe

Time to share

WITH attention focused on Third Energy’s forthcoming test frack at Kirby Misperton, it is easy to forget the wider picture and what could follow.

An idea of Third Energy’s long-term plans can be had by watching the video of the parliamentary enquiry (10/3/15) into Defra’s responsibility for fracking.

Third Energy is represented by its director of operations, John Dewar. When asked about the total number of sites it is aiming for, he states the company will look to add no more than 10 sites to their existing nine.

When asked about the number of wells per site, he replies “10 to 20, if it was a bigger site it could be 20 to 50”. I invite readers to do some simple multiplication.

The video clip is on the Government website, but takes a bit of finding. So I did smile when I read of Third Energy’s commitment to “open and transparent communication with the community” (John Dewar, Gazette letters, August 9).

If Mr Dewar would share with Ryedale folk what he shared with MPs at the hearing, that would be a start. And, of course, Third Energy is just one of six companies that now own licences covering all of our region, from York to Ravenscar.

S Jennings, Pickering

Who’s got power?

I AM interested to know what Cllr Paul Andrews can do if he says he has no executive power despite being a mayor, a town councillor and a district councillor. Maybe I need a course in local government to understand what these people can do and where the real power lies.

But he should listen to Patrick Swindell – in terms of traffic management, he does know what he is talking about.

I have looked at the Action Against Traffic Facebook page and it just seems to be a forum for everyone to vent their frustrations, so I would like to say that as a pedestrian in Malton this afternoon it was a bit much to see a car transporter (full of cars), a tanker, an animal lorry and at least two other HGVs within minutes of each other going along Wheelgate. It’s a nightmare.

On the subject of traffic, when did St Michael Street stop being a one-way access only street? And what is the speed restriction in Malton because the speeds along some of the roads seems to me to be a bit excessive?

My questions continue – why is York House painted peach and why are there so many food shops opening in Malton – how many is enough to receive everyone’s support especially at a time when some of us have been advised by our GP to lose weight.

Susan Crozier, Malton

Best feet forward

EVERY year 41,200 people in the UK are diagnosed with bowel cancer, including my mum.

Luckily it was spotted early when survival rates are higher and she has now recovered from the disease.

Physical activity plays an important part in stacking the odds against a bowel cancer diagnosis and as a keen walker myself, I’m delighted to support Bowel Cancer UK’s Walk Together.

It is a sponsored five-mile walk to bring people together so that they can show their support for those undergoing treatment, remember loved ones we have lost and raise funds to help stop bowel cancer. It’s for people of all ages and abilities.

Sign up to Walk Together in London on September 23 or to receive a fundraising pack with everything you need to hold your own memorable walk. Visit bowelcanceruk.org.uk/walktogether Julia Bradbury, TV presenter and Bowel Cancer UK patron