Frack Free Somerset are organising a series of free public meetings in Mendip towns and villages this November to raise awareness of the increased risk of exploratory drilling in the area.
The group is concerned that the recent extension of drilling license PEDL 227 by UK Methane means that an application to drill in the Norton Radstock area is imminent.
‘UK Methane have already expressed an interest in drilling in a number of Mendip parishes, including Ston Easton and Compton Martin. We believe it is important that local people know about this very real risk to their community. We will be showing a film that has been made specifically about the fracking threat to the Mendips during these meetings. We have been monitoring the fracking industry’s activity in Somerset, and worldwide, and want to share what we have learned.’, said FFS spokesperson, Helen Moore.
Drilling in PEDL 227 would be to extract Coal Bed Methane (CBM), methane found in coal seams, rather than shale gas which has been the target of energy companies elsewhere in England. Fracking can be used to extract CBM and drilling is carried out at a shallower depth than for shale gas, closer to aquifers and surface level services.
The public meetings are free and being held at:
Binegar Memorial Hall: BA3 4TR : Fri. 7th Nov 1:30pm–3:30pm
Chewton Mendip Village Hall, BA3 4NS: Tues. 11th Nov. 7.00-9.00pm
Chilcompton Village Hall, BA3 4EX: Tues. 11th Nov 7.30-9.30pm
Coleford Church Hall, BA3 5NG: Thurs. 20th Nov. 7.30pm–9.30pm
Farrington Gurney Memorial Hall, BS39 6UD: Tues. 25th Nov. 7.30-9.30pm
Hinton Blewett Village Hall BS39 5BA: Tues 25th Nov 7pm-9pm
Kilmersdon Village Hall, BA3 5TD: Tues 18th Nov. 7.30-9.30pm
Midsomer Norton Town Hall, BA3 2HQ: Thurs. 27th Nov 7.30-9.30pm
Temple Cloud & Cameley Village Hall, BS39 5BD: Tues 18th Nov 7pm-9pm
Radstock Victoria Hall, BA3 3QG: Mon. 10th Nov. 7.30 – 9.30pm
Frack Free Somerset is a coalition of concerned groups in Somerset who are taking action on hydraulic fracking.
More information is available at www.frackfreesomerset.org
Twitter @FrackFreeSom.