Thursday 17 October 2013

Support for fracking 'grows' in Blackpool and West Lancashire'

Support for fracking has increased in and around Blackpool near Cuadrilla Resource’s Bowland Basin license area, according to a survey commissioned by the firm.

The phone poll of 500 people in Blackpool, Fylde and West Lancashire by Britain Thinks found 57% supported or strongly supported shale gas extraction, up from 50% in December 2012 and 44% in October 2012.

The proportion saying they opposed or strongly opposed fracking fell from 23% in October and December 2012 to 20% in the latest survey.

Asked what they saw as the greatest benefit 47% said job creation. Water contamination (30%) overtook seismic activity (20%) as the biggest concern of those surveyed since the last poll. Climate change was left in fourth (9%) just behind gas leaks (10%).

Francis Egan, Chief Executive of Cuadrilla said: “One issue that concerns people and is reflected in the findings of this research is water - an area that we will manage through the highest standards of regulation, well design and industry best practice."

A survey in August found the general public was less enamoured with fracking. Asked which they would most like in their local area – solar, wind, nuclear or fracking – just 6% opted for shale gas, making it almost seven times less popular than solar.