FRACKING would have been a “scourge” on the Scottish countryside, MSP Gil Paterson has said.
The Clydebank and Milngavie MSP’s words follow the Scottish Parliament uniting behind the SNP government’s fracking ban. MSPs backed the fracking ban by 91 to 28 on Tuesday October 25. Gil Paterson warned the extraction of unconventional oil and gas would have been taking place adjacent constituency Strathkelvin and Bearsden, if the SNP hadn’t banned it. He said: “It would have been terrible news for Clydebank if fracking were not stopped because not far away, just across the border in Strathkelvin and Bearsden constituency, it would have been taking place. “The environmental and health problems fracking can cause are well documented, from contaminating water supplies, causing earthquakes and the tearing apart of countryside to do it. “Let us not forget the impact fracking would have in devaluing the prices of houses around the areas where it is taking place. The housing market would be struck by fracking. “Constituents in Clydebank have expressed fears about fracking taking place in their communities. I have had to reassure them that under the SNP, it will not ever be taking place. “Fracking is just not worth the risk — it’s like burning the furniture to keep the house warm. It would have been a scourge on our world-renowned landscape. “I could not be happier that we have fended off the opposition and saved Scotland from this destructive practice.” ENDS From Gil Paterson MSP by Alan Ferguson (07342 061722) BACKGROUND: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41722485 |
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