UK Government to Add Trespass Law Change in Infrastructure Bill

The British government is expected to include a change in trespass law into the Queen’s Speech to simplify the process for companies willing to explore for shale gas in the UK. The Speech will be held on Wednesday 4 June 2014. 

In that occasion, which marks the new parliamentary year, David Cameron’s Government would try to play its cards to pave the way to horizontal drilling. The change in legislation would decrease the legal instruments in the hands of landowners willing to avoid shale developments in proximity of their properties.

The intention of Prime Minister David Cameron, which has been firstly hypothesized in January, would allow exploration and production companies to put pipes under private land simply paying a compensation.

Under the current law, companies can drill only in case of permission by all the owners of the involved lands. In this sense, the change would fast-track explorations, avoiding long and costly court proceedings. 

According to the BBC, the move overhauling trespass laws will be part of the Infrastructure Bill.