YP Letters: Listen to the people and halt fracking

AS days go by, I am getting more and more concerned over the state of the fracking industry. The people of Yorkshire do not want fracking, not only on our doorstep but in our fields.

With the development progressing at Kirby Misperton near Malton, with the help of central Government, it is only a matter of time before a site is earmarked in East Yorkshire where we have the perfect ground conditions for fracking.

This needs to be halted in its tracks before it even gets off the ground.

As a member of the Yorkshire Party and their candidate in the recent General Election in East Yorkshire, I am proud to say that our policy is clear on the issue of fracking.

We are 100 per cent against it and indeed we consider that not only is it poor for our current environment but also for the future with the risk of global warming increased through the use of the fossil fuels.

Other risks with fracking which must be avoided are:

The contamination of underground water supplies;

The destruction of beautiful landscape;

The potential destruction of farmland through contamination;

The devastation of neglected roads crumbling due to the weight of heavy wagons;

The loss of livelihoods and trade in tourism and farming.

Yet, despite all of these risks, the move to frack continues and now we see the police service being used to prevent people from protesting peacefully against the organisations and companies who are developing these fracking sites.

It is time that the people of Yorkshire were listened to and had our opinions heard rather than rode roughshod over. I am sure that it will be a major subject that will be discussed at our upcoming conference on July 15 at Bridlington Spa. It is a major subject that will affect many Yorkshire towns and villages.

From: David Cragg-James, Stonegrave, York.

THIS Government’s historically complacent approach to regulation should be ringing alarm bells in all of those areas affected by the threat of fracking.

In October last, researchers at Stirling University concluded that “the evidence base for robust regulation and good industry practice is currently absent” and that “the evidence from peer-reviewed papers suggests fracking in the UK will not be effectively regulated”.

The report affirms that “peer-reviewed public health literature... already identifies significant hazards and major potential risks from the industry”.

Is Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake, a strong advocate of fracking, still convinced that our regulations are gold standard (Chris Haskins, The Yorkshire Post, July 4), and that our regulators are sufficiently numerous to enforce them? If not, he should insist that the precautionary principle be applied.

From: Lorraine Allanson, Rains Farm Holidays, Allerston, Pickering.

SHOULD the anti-fracking community to be allowed to continue such appalling use of disinformation without repercussions?

No, they should not, it is time we put a stop to their efforts to destroy our farming communities and way of life.

Farmers should consider organised legal pressure for business reputational damage which is being attempted by the opponents to shale gas with their mendacious campaign which may well irreparably damage our farming reputation for many years to come.

Soft sentences defeat justice

From: Peter Hyde, Driffield.

WHEN I read that a man who committed not one but two house burglaries was sentenced to two years jail and will be out in one year, it makes me feel that justice has been totally lost.

Imagine the stress the householders have suffered and consider dread of thinking the burglar may resume his criminal activities at their home again.

Jail is a soft option these days with all the facilities available. In 1957 I arrested a burglar who had previous convictions. Because he was over 30, he got 10 years preventative detention with no parole. That was what I consider real justice.

Look at the amount of murders there are today since we stopped the death penalty.

The facts speak for themselves and soft justice simply does not work.

Inspired by family values

From: Theresa Quarmby, Highfield Road, Kirkburton.

HOW inspiring to read about a company that has a “family first” attitude in the business pages of The Yorkshire Post.

The company Scaffold Design is hoping more parents will join the company. It has built its internal systems and processes around mobile and flexible working to be sure that the ‘family first’ attitude is reflected day in and day out.

The director believes by helping the family with some of the stressful problems working parents have to face, the staff will be happier, less stressed and more productive when at work. Apparently the results have been great. May these firms flourish!

Lottery prize far too much

From: Barry Foster, High Stakesby, Whitby.

IN this day and age, when nothing seems sacred, I simply cannot congratulate the recent £87m lottery winner. Just what is he/she going to do with all that money?

We learn everyday of much human suffering which cannot be alleviated and yet we read of this. Why not have a lottery with a top prize, say, of £1m? Now that in my view would be sense.