Campaigners Continue Protests Outside Cuadrilla Site in West Sussex

Environmental campaigners have been trying to block lorries from entering the drilling site in Balcombe operated by UK’s Cuadrilla Resources, extending last Thursday's protests.

The company recently gained consent to drill a conventional appraisal well in Balcombe in West Sussex, but it does not have any permission to proceed with unconventional operations. 

“The company does not have consent to use hydraulic fracturing. If Cuadrilla decides in the future it wishes to frack or to conduct further tests in Balcombe, the company would need to apply for further permissions, including consent from DECC,” stated the government on Thursday, announcing the permit to Cuadrilla.

Protesters are trying to stop Cuadrilla, fearing that it will use hydraulic fracturing. Cuadrilla is the only company to have made a fracking survey in the UK. 

“Over 250 people stopped 15 trucks bring on equipment on Day 1 (Thurs). On Day 2 more than 100 police were used to break the blockade and escort trucks onto the fracking site. On Day 3 the community continued to resist attempts to force trucks through the blockade but gave up early afternoon. On Day 4 Cudrilla did not attempt to bring any trucks onto the site. On Day 5 Cuadrilla continued to try to push trucks through the blockade and the community have continued to resist,” wrote protesters on their website. 

Lorries managed to deliver equipment on Friday and Saturday, but further resistance became clear on Monday when Bianca Jagger, formerly married to Mick Jagger, joined the protests. Police arrested six more protesters on Monday, lifting to 23 the total number of people in custody.