Environmentalists hit out over plans for fracking in Barnsley

Environmentalists have spoken out against a decision to allow fracking in Barnsley and expressed fears it could leave behind a “trail of environmental damage.”
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Dec 2015, 11:09 BST
Drilling at a Cuadrilla rig.Drilling at a Cuadrilla rig.
Drilling at a Cuadrilla rig.

The Government has granted an exploratory fracking license to energy firm Cuadrilla, which covers an area that includes Barnsley town centre, Cudworth, Barugh Green, Dodworth, Hood Green, Worsbrough, Birdwell, Ardsley and Elsecar.

It could bring the controversial drilling process to release gas from deep below the earth’s surface to Barnsley for the first time. Both the Barnsley Green Party and Frack Free South Yorkshire condemned the Government for making the decision.

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A spokesperson for the Greens said: “When fracking moves into an area there may be a promise of quick benefits for local communities, but the reality is often that the few local jobs that are created dry up once the fracking is finished and communities are left to live with the consequences.”

David Burley, of Frack Free South Yorkshire, added: “Shale gas is yet another fossil fuel that scientists around the world say we should leave in the ground.”

Cuadrilla says fracking will bring down energy bills and boost the economy.

Related topics:BarnsleyGovernment