City ‘ban’ casts doubt on future of fracking
THE backlash against fracking grew last night after it emerged that it has effectively been banned in Greater Manchester.
Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor, says he wants to create ‘a presumption’ against the practice in city planning rules. His move goes against the Government’s policy of encouraging a switch from imported gas to using shale gas released by fracturing rocks deep underground.
Mr Burnham said Manchester and surrounding towns should focus on green energy instead.
‘It’s about embracing the future, not the past,’ he said. ‘Cities like Greater Manchester need to join the group of leading cities on the world stage that are driving fast towards carbon neutrality. That is a big challenge and it must be embraced wholeheartedly.’
He said he was also worried about earth tremors caused by fracking operations in Fylde, Lancashire.
Tom Fyans, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: ‘The decision is symbolic of the growing opposition to the Government’s plans to fast-track fracking, which look to override local democracy by disregarding the wishes of local communities.’
The mayor cannot impose a full ban on fracking, which would require a change in national policy. Leeds, Wakefield, Hull and York have also expressed opposition to the practice.
The Government is backing shale gas extraction ‘where it is economically efficient, and robustly regulated’.