Lorry surfing protest outside the IGas shale gas site at Tinker Lane, north Nottinghamshire. Photo: Tina English

Protests have closed the IGas shale gas exploration site at Tinker Lane in north Nottinghamshire.

Early today, two opponents of the operation to drill for shale gas at the site locked themselves in front of the gates and one person climbed on top of a tripod. Later this morning, two other protesters climbed on top of trucks delivering to Tinker Lane.

The A634 between Blyth and Barnby Moor, was closed. Nottinghamshire Police said three people had been arrested.

Tripod and lock-on protests outside the IGas shale gas site at Tinker Lane, north Nottinghamshire. Photo: Simone Lister

Tripod protest outside the IGas shale gas site at Tinker Lane, north Nottinghamshire. Photo: Tina English

Lorry surfing protest outside the IGas Tinker Lane shale gas site in north Nottinghamshire. Photo: Jon Mager

Lorry surfing protest outside the IGas shale gas site at Tinker Lane, north Nottinghamshire. Photo: Jon Mager

A statement by the protesters said:

“Early this morning a group of anti-fracking activists shut down the Nottinghamshire fracking site known as Tinker Lane.

“By occupying the entrance to the site they hope to highlight what they believe to be the growing body of evidence showing the negative environmental and health impacts of what is know as fracking.”

The police said in a statement this afternoon:

“Two men and a woman have been arrested in relation to obstructing access at the proposed fracking site in Tinker Lane.

“We were first called at 3.30am this morning (11 June). Officers remain at the site as protestors continue to block the entrance.

“The A634 is also closed in both directions between Torworth and Barnby Moor due to protestors climbing on top of moving vehicles.

“The 28, 54 and 56 year-old remain in custody.”

Reports from the scene at the time of writing say the lorry surfing protests are continuing. Nottinghamshire Fire Service is taking part in the operation to remove the protesters.

A spokesperson for IGas said:

“It is disappointing that a handful of activists would chose to unnecessarily disrupt the local community as they go about their daily business, including collecting children from the local school, by forcing the closure of a main road due to their actions.“

IGas is one of the few major onshore oil and gas companies not to have sought a High Court injunction to outlaw protests.

The Tinker Lane site was granted planning permission for shale gas exploration in March 2017. Fracking would require an additional planning application. Work began on the site in November 2017. DrillOrDrop site page for Tinker Lane