ANTI-FRACKING protestors at Kirby Misperton Protection Camp have set out five pledges following concerns raised by some local residents.

The pledges, part of a "camp mandate", relate to the protestors' objectives for the site and also contain guarantees to landowners and locals that they will be respectful and careful with the land.

The camp was set up before Christmas, and since then, people opposed to Third Energy's plans to frack the nearby gas well have been coming to join the protest.

Although it has been welcomed by some people, others are worried about the safety aspects of the camp.

One villager, who asked not to be named, said she had "grave concerns" about the number of cars parked at the side of the road.

"One of my grandsons travels on the school bus," she said, "and the other one needs to be taken to and from Malton three times a week, both along what is a busy, fast road. There are already reports of several near misses."

She also said she was concerned about the protestors' plans to "slow walk" company lorries when they drive through. "When these lorries are 'slow walked' this will inevitably mean traffic behind will be delayed and drivers understandably frustrated - an accident waiting to happen," she said.

"Having to slow for vehicles either parked dangerously on the road or a jam caused by the protest is not how we want to live our lives. By all means make a protest, but do it safely with consideration for others."

Eddie Thornton, one of the protestors at the camp, said they are trying to deal with the parking issues.

"We've put out flashing warning signs and no-one parks there at night - it's something we are trying hard to solve," he said.

He added that "slow-walking" the lorries is a form of peaceful protest and that police have agreed to their plans.

"We don't want to have bad relations with the community," he said. "We want to work with them. We are not here to cause damage, we are here to stop fracking."

He said that they plan to deliver leaflets to communicate their plans to locals, and that the camp is "always open" for people to come and speak to them.

Sue Gough, a resident of nearby Little Barugh, said she supported the camp.

She said: "I have never met a more dedicated, friendly, committed bunch of people." She added that the camp is run efficiently, with waste and recycling points.

The camp's five pledges in full are:

1 We are committed to non-violent peaceful protest against the use of high volume high pressure hydraulic fracturing and do not intend to cause any criminal damage in any direct action;

2 We will respect our neighbours and remain open to discussion with all constituents of the local community;

3 Unconventional gas exploitation via hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is the only concern of the protection community. We are a single focus campaign and have no intention or desire to be distracted by any other issue or aspect of activity within in the locality;

4 We will care for the land on which we are living and we will return it to the landowner at the end of our campaign in the same condition in which we found it. We are prepared to put aside a bond in an independent ESCROW account that may be used if the field is not returned in a satisfactory state;

5 We will support local businesses and encourage our visitors to do the same.

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