Demonstrations Across UK Planned After Parliament’s Shale Vote on Wednesday

On Wednesday, the British Parliament voted to allow hydraulic fracturing (fracking) under national parks and wildlife protection zones, a controversial decision that has triggered protest and opposition from environmentalists and civic organisations.

In a statement on Wednesday, Greenpeace condemned the move. "What this now means is that national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), World Heritage Sites, and Groundwater Protection Zones could end up circled by rigs as fracking firms try to drill horizontally to extract gas from underneath," the environmental group wrote on Wednesday evening. 

The British government has, in recent times, promised to focus greater attention on extracting shale gas. The vote on Wednesday feeds into that aim of making the extraction and production of shale gas easier. 298 MPs voted in favour of the regulations, with 261 voting against. 

At least three demonstrations will take place today (Thursday) across the United Kingdom in protest against the measures.

There will be gatherings in West Bridgford (Nottinghamshire County Council), Wrexham (Saith Serin), and Sheffield (The Red Deer), the Frack Off group reports.  

Despite the public pressure, the British government is unlikely to decrease its support of shale activities. This year, 10 Downing Street has already changed the rules on property rights, and increased its powers with respect to fracking applications, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying previously that the UK is "going all out for shale."