Local Politicians Question Feasibility of Shale Gas in the UK

Despite a unequivocal endorsement by the Government, UK shale gas is called to tackle local resistance. After the recent protests in Balcombe (West Sussex), local politicians from Heywood warned fracking companies that their activities would be monitored closely.

“We are committed to being the greenest borough in the country and fracking does not fit in with this green policy,” said Heywood councillor and council leader Colin Lambert.

The British Geological Survey recently released its estimates about shale gas reserves on the area between Wexham and Blackpool in the west, and Nottingham and Scarborough in the east. The central estimate for the gas in place is over 1,300 trillion cubic feet (tcf). 

“Any application that we should receive regarding fracking will be watched very closely,” added Lambert, in a position consistent to the statements by Heywood MP Jim Dobbin. 

“My initial instinct is against fracking but we do not know enough about the science of it… There are pros and cons. But I would like to see an awful lot more research done into it before I change my mind,” commented Dobbin.

Similarly, Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk takes a cautious approach to shale gas.

“Fracking is certainly not without risk and I am sure many would be concerned at the prospect of drilling for shale gas in Rochdale, but we have to accept there is a lot of shale gas in our region and this will attract exploratory energy companies,” said Danczuk. 

Heywood is a town five kilometres from Rochdale, both in the Greater Manchester County, in North West England.