OVER the past few months, members and supporters of Frack-Free York have collected more than 1,200 signatures on a petition asking that City of York Council does not allow unconventional gas extraction (“fracking” and coal seam gas) in its area.

Of these, 860 were local York people; the rest were visiting the city and also don’t want the York area to suffer from this industry.

At the same time, an identically worded online petition collected more than 800 signatures, of which 700-plus were local.

This level of concern has triggered a debate at today’s full council meeting and several parties are going to exercise their democratic right to speak in favour of the petition.

There will be a demonstration of support in St Helen’s Square from 5pm, and then at 6.30pm, members of the public are allowed to witness what our elected councillors say about the issues in the Guildhall.

Frack-Free York welcomes anyone to attend these gatherings.

Fracking has the potential to pollute our water supplies, industrialise our countryside, fill lanes with thousands of lorry movements, and add to the already serious threat of climate chaos.

York must ban fracking.

John Cossham, Frack-Free York, Hull Road, York.