Grandfather’s road-safety fears over expansion scheme for well site

A GRANDFATHER living on the route proposed to transport oil and gas from the West Newton A well site has said expansion plans make him fear for his family’s safety.

Harry Clark, of New Ellerby, near Hull, said he worried for his daughter and granddaughter who cycle on roads proposed for transporting oil and gas if site expansion plans are approved. Mr Clark, a member of the local liaison group with Rathlin Energy, which owns the site, added that he felt the company did whatever it wanted, regardless of locals’ concerns.

A spokesperson for Rathlin said the company had taken the views of locals, councillors and other parties on board when drawing up its revised, smaller expansion plans.

Mr Clark’s comments come after Rathlin lodged new plans to expand its West Newton A site, in Fosham Road, High Fosham, by up to four additional wells.

The plans cut the number of wells from six after East Riding Council’s Planning Committee turned down earlier proposals in September on traffic and overdevelopment grounds.

Rathlin’s new plans propose extra landscaping, including soil bunds on the site’s eastern and southern boundary, and a hedgerow to screen it from view.

The site would expand to an overall size of 2.52ha, down from the previously proposed 3.46, if plans are approved. But the company’s planning documents stated that while fewer wells would mean a shorter drilling phase and fewer HGV trips during construction, the reduction would have no bearing on production.

Separately, Rathlin has also applied to extend its environmental permit at its West Newton B site, off Crook Lane, Burton Constable.

But Mr Clark said traffic was already heavy, even during West Newton A’s exploration phase with the two wells already on site.

He added: “The roads around here are small – they’re no good for heavy lorries and tankers.”