Ineos aims to “sell” fracking to Cumbernauld

A meeting at Kilsyth Academy tonight (which requires online registration to attend) will be followed by a similar session in Cumbernauld’s Greenfaulds Academy next Wednesday.

The Scottish Government imposed a temporary ban on fracking, but Scottish Conservatives’ energy spokesman Murdo Fraser argues this could be lifted once the General Election is over.

The UK Government has also brought in a moratorium ,

Grangemouth-based Ineos has licences to carry out fracking across a wide tract of the west of Scotland, including around Cumbernauld.

Its wave of public meetings is designed to reassure local people they have nothing to worry about.

Its presentation includes a series of films called “The Fracking Facts”, and people will be allowed to ask questions about the firm’s shale gas extraction plans.

Ineos Upstream chief executive Gary Haywood (pictured) said: “The Scottish Government wants the public to be fully informed about Shale gas production and we are determined to help.

“We are launching Scotland’s biggest Shale gas information programme to make sure that local communities get the chance to hear the facts rather than the myths about Shale gas.”

He says there is “incredible potential” to provide the UK with greater energy security, growth and jobs.

And he argues fracking would help the UK’s chemical and energy-intensive UK manufacturing industry to succeed, worldwide”.

However protesters against the plans in areas including Kirkintilloch and Bishopbriggs – earmarked for a major gas site – have said they will fight the plans all the way.