Campaigners step up fight against fracking

Protests have been taking place in Kirkintilloch, Torrance and North Lanarkshire.

The Scottish Socialist Party urged people of all politics to join the battle on Saturday in Kirkintilloch at the start of a week of action.

In Torrance, dozens of 
people turned up to voice their anger at a drop-in information session organised by shale gas extraction company Ineos.

While in Chryston, after a public meeting, a newly formed anti-fracking group will meet for the first time on Thursday at a local cultural centre.

A spokesperson for the SSP said: “All of Kirkintilloch is in the proposed drilling 
licence area to extract gas.

“We call on the people of Kirky to organise against Ineos and welcome people of all politics and of none to kickstart the fight in East Dunbartonshire’s largest town.

“We are inviting people to sign petitions in the Cowgate during the week.”

Veteran campaigner Ron McKay said: “ With a moratorium currently in place, we know that campaigners will have to dig in for a long battle.”

“However we are confident that people power will triumph over the corporate interests.”

The group’s next meeting is at the miners club on Saturday, December 12 at 11am. Over the next few months the group plan to arrange petitions and public meetings.

In Chryston, after a 
recent public meeting, a newly formed community anti-fracking group is set to meet for the first time at the village cultural centre on Thursday, November 26 at 6.30pm.

Local GreenParty Councillor Frances McGlinchey said: “Fracking is potentially devastating to our homes, our local environment, and our health.

“We must do everything in our power to fight any fracking developments in our area and offer support to other communities facing this threat.”

Meanwhile in Torrance, Ineos Upstream organised a drop-in information session on Wednesday.

Members of campaign group Torrance Against Fracking turned out to protest against the firm’s plans to frack in thevillage.

Ruth Dunster of TAF said: “We were amazed at the turnout of people concerned about the impact Ineos’ plans could have on our village and countryside.

“This is a fight we cannot afford to lose.

“We explained to people that trucks and tankers, noise, unsightly dirty mining works and toxic chemical pollution are all things communities have reported around the world.

“Not to mention the Blackpool earth tremors and Oklahoma earthquakes, and the widespread health problems in Pennsylvania and Australia - all things Ineos didn’t mention.”

TAF can be contacted at [email protected]