St Albans Review: Shale gas drilling will not take place in Hertfordshire

The controversial practice of ‘fracking’ will not be happening in Hertfordshire because there is no shale gas.

Hertfordshire County Council said there are no gas reserves in its area whatsoever, meaning hydraulic fracturing - or ‘fracking’ - cannot take place.

Fracking, which uses high-pressure liquid pumped deep underground to fracture shale rock and release gas, has been a source of tension in some communities across the UK, notably last week when 100 villagers in West Sussex marched in protest against exploratory drilling.

Those against fracking fear it can cause small earth tremors, water contamination and environmental damage.

On the flipside, the absence of any potential for fracking in Hertfordshire means there will be no possible economic benefits from it.  MORE