Shale and hearty

Gill Turner believes that shale gas extraction would “despoil” the Central Belt (Letters, 17 January). While it is true that the drilling and injection phase would be damaging to the amenity of nearby residents, who could and should be compensated, this is of relatively short duration compared with the comparably damaging impact of wind ‘farm’ construction which Borders residents have had to endure (without compensation) for the past decade. When this initial stage is complete, the production facility is unobtrusive and quiet, its impact in no way comparable to 450ft turbines producing noise levels similar to a jet.

Wind turbines are in the Tory-voting Borders, while shale gas extraction would be in the SNP and Labour-voting Central Belt. Can this possibly have influenced the latter parties’ position?

JACK W PONTON

Legerwood Earlston, Berwickshire