A fracking company is applying for an injunction to stop protesters from disrupting its plans to restart the process after a seven-year gap.
Cuadrilla, which caused minor earth tremors when it carried out hydraulic fracturing in the UK in 2011, plans to extract shale gas near Blackpool this summer.
Protesters have repeatedly blockaded Cuadrilla’s site there and delayed deliveries. They have also targeted suppliers, threatening to damage their businesses and causing some to stop delivering to Cuadrilla’s site.
The firm has drilled the first of four wells at the site and will apply to the government this week for final consent.
Lancashire police has spent almost £7 million since January last year on policing the protests and has made more than 350 arrests. The injunction would cover Cuadrilla’s site and those of its suppliers and prohibit blocking roads, climbing on lorries or walking in front of them. Breaching the injunction carries a jail sentence of up to two years and could result in Cuadrilla claiming tens of thousands of pounds in costs.
AJL Price at posting:
33.5¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
