MP hits out at fracking ‘buy-off’
WEST Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper has hit out at plans to “buy off” households in areas affected by fracking.
The proposal was originally made by former chancellor George Osborne for a £1bn fund to be given to councils or community trusts.
The plans have since been amended by Prime Minister Theresa May to give the money directly to residents.
The fund, known as the Shale Wealth Fund, would potentially be worth up to thousands of pounds for each household.
Fracking has been a source of considerable controversy both in West Lancs and around the country, with numerous protests and demonstrations held against the practice, which involves drilling deep into the ground to release shale gas for fuel.
Critics of the process say that it creates the risk of earthquakes and can pollute the local ecology.
A consultation is being held on the Shale Wealth Fund proposals and Ms Cooper has used it to reiterate her opposition to fracking in West Lancashire and to criticise an earlier decision to allow the practice elsewhere in Lancashire.
She said: “When this government overruled Lancashire County Council’s rejection of fracking they killed any credibility of their localism agenda.
“They are imposing the consequences of fracking on to local communities. All this Shale Wealth Fund offers are bribes and inducements to communities for the greater cost they will have to bear.
“I wanted to use this consultation to once again reiterate how the people of West Lancashire opposing fracking wanted to be heard, not silenced with financial inducements.”
She also expressed concern over the lack of a clarity over the regulation of the fracking system, arguing that there appears to be a lack of accountability. to mention the odd gold medal or two!
But it is still an impressive achievement that both the West Lancs and Southport events have made it into the shortlist of the 12 best triathlons in the UK – out of hundreds.
The fact that they have made it to the shortlist is down to the event facilities and the breathtaking routes that they are able to set.
To win, they need the people of Ormskirk and Skelmersdale to vote.
Vote online, go to therunningawards.com and find the shortlists.