During the four months since IGas set up its exploratory drilling site at Barton Moss not one single Salford councillor or the Salford Mayor, Ian Stewart, has said a word on the issue in public.
In private, however the councillors are telling people that they can't speak about fracking because it would stop them taking part in a subsequent vote when planning permission is sought to actually frack in Irlam later in the year.
This seems strange because only around a dozen councillors actually sit on the planning panel, unless there is to be a free vote at a full Council meeting. Even then, the Mayor does not have any jurisdiction over planning, so legally there is nothing to stop him opening his gob on the issue…
On Tuesday, however the Mayor and his Cabinet are being forced to discuss an anti-fracking petition because it had over three thousand signatures and the meeting at 10am, which is open to the public, has on its agenda the `consideration a the petition – opposition of fracking and extraction of unconventional gas on Barton Moss'.
To draw further attention to the issue there is going to be a an anti-fracking rally outside the Civic Centre from 9:15am
"Over three thousand people have called on Salford Council to say `No to fracking'" says Helen Rimmer, of North West Friends of the Earth "Unconventional gas extraction risks the environment, local economy and the climate - Greater Manchester councils should reject Cameron's dash for dirty gas and back renewables and community energy instead."
Roy Hughes from Eccles adds: "We want the Council to listen to our concerns and say `No to fracking and unconventional gas extraction in Salford'", while Juan Nunez, also from Eccles, explains "We're worried that fracking will pollute our water and air, bring more traffic and take green space from us. If it goes ahead there could be hundreds of fracked wells in our area."
Anti Fracking Rally
Tuesday 8th April
Outside Salford Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton from 9:15am
There should be an opportunity for the public to attend the Cabinet meeting from 10am. Manchester Friends of the Earth will also be addressing the meeting.
The rally has been called by Frack Free Greater Manchester, Friends of the Earth and the Protectors of Barton Moss
UPDATE: 8th April...
Fury As Salford Mayor Refuses Fracking Discussion - click here
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(3).jpeg)
.png)
(1).JPG)
