Anti-fracking demo causes traffic chaos

Anti-fracking protestors blocked the entrance to a Carnforth quarry by suspending themselves from swings .
Anti-fracking protesters from Bristol swung into action at the quarry entranceAnti-fracking protesters from Bristol swung into action at the quarry entrance
Anti-fracking protesters from Bristol swung into action at the quarry entrance

Police closed the road to Leapers Wood quarry between 5am and 7.30am on Monday morning and lorry access to the Aggregate Industries’ quarry in Carnforth was suspended by the appearance of two protesters on swings.

The swings were rigged onto height restriction bars at two key access points and were blocking all lorry movements, said a spokesman for Reclaim the Power.

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The blockade marked the launch action of Break the Chain, a fortnight of interventions called by national social and climate justice group Reclaim the Power. One of the protesters, Chris Thomson said:“We’re up here today because fracking isn’t a playground game. We need to give Aggregate Industries a reason to rethink its position, which is at odds with local democracy. We’re asking Aggregate Industries to do the decent thing. Follow the example of other companies in the area. Step away from fracking your neighbours and we’ll gladly come down.”

A spokesman for Aggregate Industries said: “Aggregate Industries provides high quality solutions, services and products, helping our customers to build safely and sustainably.

“Aggregate Industries only supplies materials to projects that have the necessary permissions from local and national government.

“While we appreciate that there are a wide range of views on major construction projects, interfering with the safe running of our sites and operations presents a risk to the safety of protesters, colleagues and the local community. We urge people to remain safe when demonstrating on any issue.”

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Morecambe MP David Morris criticised the protestors. “I condemn in the strongest terms this irresponsible intimidation of companies and road users trying to go about their lawful business and get on with their daily lives,” he said. “ The police have a difficult enough time without having to devote resources to manage people from outside the area who are wasting everyone’s time and standing in the way of jobs and opportunity for local people.”