Anti-fracking injunction in Lancashire fails

An injunction against fracking in Lancashire has failed - meaning it will go ahead.

Energy firm Cuadrilla will now be able to begin fracking at Preston New Road.

The decision was made by the High Court this lunchtime.

The injunction was filed by campaigner Bob Dennett, who said there were safety concerns.

Mr Justice Supperstone said there was "no evidence" to show it should have been categorised as posing more than a medium risk.

An additional legal challenge brought by Friends of the Earth regarding regulation at the site is still being considered by the High Court.

Jamie Peters, Friends of the Earth fracking campaigner, who was at the court, said:

“Today’s court ruling is sad news for local residents who’ve long fought against this dirty industry and the risks it poses to their environment and the climate.

“In a week in which the scale of action needed to stop climate chaos has dominated the headlines, it is simply wrong to be heralding the start of a new fossil-fuel industry.

 “You can have fracking or you can deal with climate change –you can’t do both.”  

Cuadrilla confirms that it plans to go ahead tomorrow (13th October) with the start of hydraulic fracturing operations.

Francis Egan, CEO of Cuadrilla, said:

“We are delighted to be starting our hydraulic fracturing operations as planned.

"We are now commencing the final operational phase to evaluate the commercial potential for a new source of indigenous natural gas in Lancashire. If commercially recoverable this will displace costly imported gas, with lower emissions, significant economic benefit and better security of energy supply for the UK.”

The hydraulic fracturing process will take approximately three months to complete for both horizontal exploration wells. Cuadrilla will then test the flow of natural gas from those two wells with initial results expected in the New Year.