YP Letters: No bribe can compensate for fracking

I FULLY support Chris Redston’s article on behalf of Frack Free Ryedale (The Yorkshire Post, August 20).

I really do find it hard to see the points of view of the pro-frackers. Well, those who don’t gain financially.

There is so much independent evidence of the dangers to human health, the countryside destruction, and global warming, why would anyone be so blind as to want it?

To say that Mr Redston, and the likes of me, are only doing it for ourselves is ludicrous.

It is costing us money we would far rather be spending on other things, taking up time and causing stress.

Thank heaven there are such knowledgeable people prepared to fight for the countryside they love, even if some of them work away in London, nay, especially if they work away in London.

From: David Cragg-James, Stonegrave, York.

ONE item omitted from Mr Redston’s excellent article (‘Fracking cash pledge evaporates in a puff of gas’, The Yorkshire Post, August 20), and for which no compensation will ever suffice, is the contribution fracking will make to the destruction of the planet through climate change.

This is via the new lease of life it provides for a dying fossil fuel industry – that nourisher of global warming, via methane emissions, via migratory unrest, via the destruction of our ability to feed humanity, and via the further impoverishment, initially of the have-nots.

We prefer to look away from this doomsday scenario; it’s scary. And yet, we do not need to look far to realise that these processes are already underway. Compensation, Chris? Perhaps! Although ‘bribe’ seems to fit better. Never has Naomi Klein’s This changes everything read more prophetically.

Devolution to the Ridings

From: Alec Denton, Guiseley.

IT was good to read (The Yorkshire Post, August 18) about Theresa May’s practical and optimistic plans to make Yorkshire stronger, however she does gloss over the problems we are currently reading much about concerning the difficulty of getting the various political leaders in our fragmented county to work together for the benefit of Yorkshire.

We suffer from a system forced on us by Whitehall in 1974 that has never been fully fit for purpose, but which becomes more difficult to rectify the longer it stays. However I do not believe this means we need to invent a new single entity as has been suggested elsewhere, our need is for an administration that recognises fully the size and diversity of Yorkshire, as provided by the former Ridings.

The elimination of the Ridings in the 1974 re-organisation imposed by Whitehall without full consultation, both removed a system that had functioned well for at least a thousand years and provides the precedent for its reinstatement.

The three leaders of the restored Ridings would have the status of Mayor and the Government will gain a huge advantage towards achieving their ‘Northern Powerhouse’ vision if they can negotiate with a team of three representing the whole of our diverse county, instead of narrow city interests.

The City of York was traditionally outside of the Ridings and should act as permanent chair and the current border arguments between Leeds and North Yorkshire will no longer be relevant, though the close relationship between Sheffield and Chesterfield will need handling with care.

It is also worth noting that reverting to the Ridings would not require an extra tier of government, as we will shortly no longer have to elect and support Members of the European Parliament.

Sea views are priceless

From: Rosemary Beyer, Sheffield.

THERE must be hundreds of people who, like myself and my family, have been holidaying in the Filey and Scarborough area for so long it has become like a second home.

I was therefore pleased to read David Taylor’s letter (The Yorkshire Post, August 20) about the trees which have been allowed to grow unchecked and have hidden the wonderful sea views which help to make these resorts so special.

There have been numerous efforts over may years by residents to have something done but with no response from the council. I suspect finance will be the main reason and the longer the problem is neglected the bigger the job will be. Could The Yorkshire Post start a campaign? It would be amazing to have the views of this section of our wonderful Yorkshire coast restored.

From : Peter Hyde, Driffield.

YOUR correspondent David Taylor is quite right when he points out that overgrown trees spoil the views from places that were designed to provide pleasant surroundings. He asks when will local councils take action. The answer is ‘never’, unless someone of importance complains. Councils are so cash strapped that they are cutting back on essential services like mental health and child welfare.

The Government should perhaps take a look at the overseas aid that goes to corrupt nations, and divert some of that money to councils so that consideration can be given to the neglected shrubbery of Filey and Scarborough.