TO PROTEST IS A BASIC RIGHT

MANY will remember the terrible scenes and clashes between striking miners and police during the miner’s strike of 1984-5. The memory is vivid still in many communities.

It divided families, relatives, communities and left a legacy of bitterness and sadness.

As citizens we were told that coal was an antiquated fossil fuel too costly to produce, was dirty and we needed to look to the future to cleaner cheaper types of fuel like oil and gas.

Now this government wants to introduce something far dirtier than coal – shale gas from FRACKING.

There is a battle going on at Preston New Road on the busy A583 near Kirkham between anti-fracking protesters and Cuadrilla, the energy firm who have been given permission by central government to drill two deep wells to a depth of 3,500 metres to explore for shale gas. The drilling rig is due to arrive next month. Fracking is due to start in September.

This polluted water has to be got rid of, so transportation lorries will carry it to Leeds for dispersal.

Already 34 people have been arrested in six weeks by exercising their democratic right to demonstrate in a peaceful non violent way.

Many more supporters are watching this struggle and giving support in any way they can. This is why I am writing this letter – to spread the word.

If Cuadrilla is successful then licenses granted to other companies can begin, Osprey in Burnley and a license has been granted for exploration in Haslingden. This could mean deep wells going two miles vertically and two miles horizontally possibly under your house without your knowledge or permission.

This situation has been imposed on us undemocratically by central government who overturned Lancashire County Council’s decision NOT to grant permission for exploratory drilling.

If you care about the environment and don’t wish to see an increase in greenhouse gases, production and transportation on main busy roads of toxic chemical radioactive waste which could pollute the air and groundwater then exercise your democratic right and PROTEST. Christine Adams Raby Street Rawtenstall