The Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats have this week launched their Island wide petition to push the Isle of Wight Council to reject any fracking or oil drilling on or near the Island.
The petition has been launched following growing concerns among Lib Dem activists that drilling companies may use the Island’s financial situation to push permits through more quickly. They argue the Council needs to be firm and reject any further planning.
Nicholas Belfitt, Vice Chair of the party commented:
“I am not a anti-frackist at heart, I can see in some occasions where it could be used and useful. But its going to be a ecological and infrastructural disaster on the Island, we don’t have the capacity to have a drilling plant on the island or roads to provide it.
“We are worried that the council won’t look at the big picture and could be “brought” by the new governments initiative we have already seen deployed in Lancashire.
“This petition is about spearing a new long term vision for 2017 and for the islands future, one that is positive and strong and has the fortitude to reject projects not in the interest of the Island and Islanders”.
The Lib Dems argue that the while the ecological damage is major concern, the infrastructure of the Island could not accommodated having the amount of traffic needed to move fracked oil off the Island. Lib dims argue unless residents would accept a large pipe line across the island, they would have to deal with over 50 noisy trucks a day passing through the Arreton area.
The petition is also aimed to reaffirm the Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats position that it does not support fracking on the Island and in 2017 council elections will stand on a platform ‘no to fracking, yes to better alternatives’.
Nicholas added:
“Considering the Isle of Wight has around 70 miles of coastline, it would make sense for as much energy production to take place at sea. Tidal and offshore wind farms would mean that the Island could generate green electricity without damaging the Island’s already struggling infrastructure”.
The petition can be found at www.iowlibdems.org.uk/en/petition/no-fracking-on-the-island.
Featured photo: Wight Drone
