Outside Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road shale gas site, 30 June 2017. Photo: Cheryl Atkinson
In this week’s update on protests about fracking and the onshore oil and gas industry:
- Construction of wooden “towers” at Cuadrilla’s shale gas site at Preston New Road
- Eight person lock-on
- Blockade and camp established at Marriott Drilling in Chesterfield
- Video footage shows a woman protester apparently pushed to the ground by a police officer
- Friends of the Earth solidarity day
This post will be updated throughout the week. Please let us know about news you think DrillorDrop should be reporting on this post.
1 July 2017
North East Derbyshire and South Yorkshire
About 30 bikers take part in an anti-fracking ride around villagers, including Marsh Lane and Harthill which have been earmarked for shale gas exploration.
David Kesteven, chair of Eckington Against Fracking told PeakFM at the end of the ride in Marsh Lane:
“We’re not campaigners, we’re ordinary people but we’re battling against a company who wants to take gas from under our homes and we have to stop them. We’re saying ‘No’ to fracking and this ride has helped get the message out around the villages.”
30 June 2017
Cuadrilla’s shale gas site, Preston New Road
Opponents of Cuadrilla’s shale gas site near Blackpool constructed “towers” made from pallets at the entrance on Preston New Road. Four people took part in a lock-on protest. DrillOrDrop report. Opponents of Cuadrilla’s activities have continued to remain outside the camp overnight.
Photo: Cheryl Atkinson
Pictures of constructing the tower by Cheryl Atkinson
Photo: Gaz Mack
Marriott Drilling Group, Clay Cross, near Chesterfield
A protester climbed on to a lorry at the head of a convoy leaving the company’s depot, which is expected to supply equipment to Cuadrilla’s shale gas site. Other protesters blocked the site entrance.
Video footage shows a protester apparently being thrown to the ground by a police officer.
Opponents have established a camp on roadside verges near the depot. DrillOrDrop report
29 June 2017
Broadford Bridge, near Billingshurst, West Sussex
A two-person lock-on at UKOG’s Broadford Bridge blocked the entrance this morning.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police said both protesters released themselves after a couple of hours.
One man was arrested for breaching bail conditions and preventing workers going about their business under the Trade Unions Act.
Photo: Dave Doktor
Photo: Dave Doktor
Photo: Annie Maluver
Trevor Pye Transport, Wem Industrial Estate, Shrewbury
About five protesters took part in a “pop-up” protest outside Trevor Pye Transport in opposition to the company’s contract transporting goods to Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road shale gas site, near Blackpool.
27 June 2017
Cuadrilla’s shale gas site, Preston New Road, Little Plumpton
Councillors from Lancashire County Council, Fylde Borough Council, Preston City Council and Kirkham Town Council took part in Central Lancashire Friends of the Earth solidarity day outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site.
They were joined by: Lancaster University students; representatives of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Trades Union Council and the University College Union (University of Central Lancashire); members of Keep East Lancashire Frack Free and Frack Free Lancashire; members of Hyndburn, Burnley and Central Lancashire local Friends of the Earth groups; and the green energy company, Ecotricity.
Dot Kelk from Central Lancashire Friends of the Earth said:
“It was fantastic to see so many people at the roadside protest to show their support for local residents opposing the unwanted fracking industry. People don’t want fracking for a variety of reasons, from its impact on the climate and water to taking valuable farmland out of production, and it is great to have the support of local trade unions, students and Councillors. The vast majority of the public want clean renewable energy not dirty fracking.”
Nick Danby from Frack Free Lancashire said:
“Cuadrilla are being met with opposition and delay every step of the way, from the tens of thousands of objections and planning rejections to creative peaceful action at the site. Our parishes, district and county councils all said no to fracking, and as residents we will continue doing all we can to protect Lancashire’s precious environment and local economy from fracking.”
26 June 2017
Cuadrilla’s shale gas site, Preston New Road, near Blackpool
8-person lock-on, Preston New Road, Little Plumpton 26 June 2017. Photo: Richard Marshall
Early-morning eight-person lock-on outside the Preston New Road shale gas site at Little Plumpton, near Blackpool.
Part of 8-person lock-on, Preston New Road, Little Plumpton 26 June 2017. Photo: Richard Marshall
Lancashire Police said the protesters had been released by the afternoon. We’ll update this post with details of any arrests.
Lancashire Police said Darren Dennet, Ashley Robinson, Matthew Cornmell, and Nicholas Sheldrick, all of Blackpool, Jeanette Porter, of Lytham, Mary-Ann Wall of Skelmersdale and Aaron Bell and Liam Dodson, both of no fixed address, were charged with obstructing the highway and “hiding/depriving/hindering use of tools/clothes/property”. They will appear at Blackpool Magistrates Court on 14 August.
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