STOP THIS COUNTRY! I WANT TO GET OFF!: January 2015

OVER 100 PEOPLE DESCEND ON A SMALL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON TO TELL IGAS TO “FRACK OFF”.

What looked like more than 100 people descended on a small industrial site in Ellesmere Port on Sunday 14^th December to protest against a controversial proposed fracking site which would burrow over a mile under the town. Perhaps they thought in such a heavily industrial area it wouldn't be noticed but already there has been a “peace camp” set up and protests held. Only less half a mile away from the site is the start of the town of Ellesmere Port itself and it is around a mile away from all the various heavy industrial illustrations that make up the visibly dramatic Stanlow complex.

This according to one environmental campaigner I interviewed for 107talk was to be considered particularly dangerous due to the shape of the fracking drill which is potentially to be used at Ellesmere Port.

Due to the shape of the nearby Merseyton Road which links the M53 motorway with what used to be called “The Boat Museum” they couldn't apparently physically get a straight drill which is most often used for fracking actually round the corner and they were forced to compromise. I was told that due to the fact that the fracking drill to be used is not straight it will apparently frack in a more unpredictable way underground and may disturb methane which could be a dangerous combination due to the oil refinery located relatively close by.

However actual fracking itself at the site has not started as it is currently a “test drill” to see if actual fracking for shale gas would actually be viable. Without going into too many technical details this would cost a bunch of money so it has to be considered very much worth it by the investing company (IGas) so there is every possibility that the company involved (Igas just in case you forgot the name already) won't actually go ahead.

Pictured here are all the colourful protest signs and of course Cheshire Police who have to become keen protest visitors. One photographer got very close to the drill itself.

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