A petition set up by Wirral Labour activists to prevent fracking in the area has been signed by 55,000 people in just five days.
Conservative prime minister Liz Truss has lifted the ban on fracking in England, which was imposed in 2019 after tremors caused by fracking in Lancashire.
The Conservatives and Lib Dem coalition had granted a conditional licence for UCG in the Dee estuary in 2013, off West Kirby and Hoylake.
Wirral West Labour MP Margaret Greenwood and local residents campaigned against the moves, with high-profile Wirral events and musicians from the Coral and Zutons running gigs to raise awareness.
When the controversial energy plan was put back on the table, Labour activist Gail Jenkinson launched a new online petition, to show the strength of local opposition to the plan.
Gail says, “Fracking is a foolhardy endeavour. Shortsighted, and not that productive, it is dangerous to our environment, our climate and the very fabric of our land. The Conservative government’s position of ‘allowing a higher degree of risk and disturbance to those living nearby’ is utterly shocking and is definitely not, as they claim, ‘in the national interest’.
“Our shoreline would be devastated by fracking. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process that uses high-pressure fluid injections to shatter rock formations and extract natural gas. Fracking has been blamed for leaking millions of tonnes of methane. It is not my idea of acceptable. It will send out huge energy waves, causing earthquakes for miles around, weakening the fault lines with which UK geology is riddled, weakening the ground on which our houses are built bit by bit every time, affecting it forever.
“In just four days our fracking petition gained over 45,000 signatures, showing just how strongly the public feels about this disastrous policy. The government must do another u-turn and preserve our land for future generations.”
The Government move comes despite the International Energy Agency (IEA) warning that no new new oil and gas exploration should go ahead if the world is to meet its goal to curb temperature rises to 1.5C and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Gail adds, “Labour has, only this week, shown that we can preserve our planet, enhance the quality of life for our children and grandchildren by using clean energy that will address climate change, create jobs and reduce bills.
“With just a bit of vision, the government could invest in our future, not our downfall.
“We campaigned against shale gas extraction last time, and will do so again. And again, and again and again. We urge everyone to sign this petition and join us in our protest.”
Sign the petition here: https://chng.it/gVJvbsm7Dk 
Image: Gail Jenkinson
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