Campaigners rally against fracking plans across Wakefield district

Anti-fracking campaigners have rallied in defiance after new licences to explore for oil and gas across the district were granted by the government.
Fracking rigs like this one are a common site in America.Fracking rigs like this one are a common site in America.
Fracking rigs like this one are a common site in America.

Frack Free Wakefield held its first public meeting at Lightwaves Leisure Centre last week to discuss the affect new licences could have and raise awareness.

More than 40 people took part in the meeting, which included presentations by speakers about fracking and potential health and environmental risks it poses.

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Jon Sibbald, co-ordinator at Frack Free Wakefield, said: “We are trying to rally and build up a campaign against it.

“There was a good mix of young and older people at the meeting but we were preaching to the converted, everyone there was opposed to fracking.

“I just don’t think people know enough about it. Companies and the government give the impression that all you would see is a rig in a field but these can be very large industrial complexes.”

The group fears that if well drilling goes ahead, it could lead to contamination and pollution.

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Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences were issued in December by the Oil and Gas Authority, which mean firms could in future drill to look for shale gas in parts of Wakefield, Pontefract, Castleford and the south east.

Mr Sibbald said: “Fracking sites can have hundreds of lorries polluting air and if any gas leaks into the water, it could contaminate it.” For more information search Frack Free Wakefield on Facebook.

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