Fracking fears revived in Cheshire

A Cheshire MP fears the Government is still pursuing a pro-fracking agenda after an outright ban was rejected in a key House of Commons vote.

Mike Amesbury is disappointed Tory MPs overwhelmingly voted down a Labour amendment to the Environment Bill on Wednesday (May 26) aimed at scrapping existing and future fracking licences.

Fracking companies have previously targeted Mr Amesbury’s Weaver Vale constituency for shale gas exploration ­­­- along with Chester and Ellesmere Port. But campaigners hoped their fight was won after a Government moratorium.

The Labour MP, a long-time fracking opponent, said: “This Tory vote is both disappointing as well as illuminating as it shows the Conservatives are still intent on allowing energy companies to frack despite a moratorium prompted by safety concerns following earthquakes in Lancashire. 

“Hydraulic fracturing or fracking also raises concerns around water and air contamination, the industrialisation of our countryside and is ultimately about burning a fossil fuel when the focus should be on renewable energy.”

Mr Amesbury said residents in the neighbouring constituency of Ellesmere Port were still awaiting the outcome of a 2019 public inquiry into plans for a fracking test well. They deserved ‘peace of mind’, he said.

Fracking was not supported by the Welsh or Scottish Governments and was subject to an outright ban in Germany, France, Ireland, Bulgaria and parts of the US and Canada.

The MP concluded: “Fracking is bad for our climate, our environment and has thoroughly been rejected by communities across the country including in Weaver Vale. The Government should give the clear message to fracking companies that they are not welcome and instead pursue the right priorities: a future of safe, clean energy.”