1. National

UK fracking allowed to resume

The government says fracking for shale gas can resume in the UK, with new controls to address the risk of small earth tremors.

View all 27 updates ›
  1. Lawrence McGinty

Govt has a way to go to convince people fracking is safe

There is no fracking going on here in Balcombe in West Sussex, but Cuadrilla does have planning permission to start exploratory drilling.

The company held a public meeting about that earlier this year and they had a very rough ride indeed.

The village sign in Balcombe, West Sussex where exploratory drilling is due to begin Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Energy Secretary Ed Davey has said that the best scientific advice suggests that fracking can be carried out safely, but only if it is regulated properly.

But he also said that it should only go ahead if the public are confident it is safe.

The people I have spoken to this morning suggest that Ed Davey and the Government have a long way to go to convince people that fracking can be done safely.

More on this story