The firm have faced furious opposition to their £300m proposal to store natural gas in underground salt caverns near the River Wyre.

But now the American firm say they have addressed the concerns raised by Government planning inspectors when their original application was rejected last November.

At their new exhibition, which opens tomorrow and features a scale model of the site, salt samples as well as explanatory videos, posters and leaflets, Chief Executive Paul Grimes said the firm was ready to put safety fears to rest.

He said: "What we hope is that people will be reasonable and look at the application for what it is, not what they might have heard.
"We know there are people that will never be convinced, but we hope that sense and fairness will prevail.

"Hopefully, people can see that the site will have little effect on their lives, will not be a danger and will not impact on the local environment too much.

"There has been some irresponsible scaremongering, there's no question, but we're confident this application and the exhibition can answer all the issues raised in the planning inspector's report."

Mr Grimes also questioned the Government planning inspectorate stance which questioned the geology of the area.

He said improved consultation with the public, closer working with the Health and Safety Executive and British Geological Survey and peer review of the science behind the application by top UK experts would strengthen their proposal.

Mr Grimes added the site in Preesall would be good for consumers and the UK as a whole, adding as much as 20 per cent to the UK's gas storage capacity.

"There are people in the UK this winter who will be forced to choose between food and fuel," he said.

"This site is the most cost-effective, efficient and best site available in the UK and ultimately the best for the consumer.

"I hope politicians will see that, see how we have addressed safety issues and look out for the consumer."

Four new vertical bore holes are now being drilled to further test underground conditions and the salt gathered and radar scans of the area will provide new data to supplement the application.

Officials and politicians from Wyre Council, Lancashire County Council and other public bodies will visit the exhibition today before it is opened to the wider public tomorrow at Wyre Villa Football Club, Hall Gate Park, Hall Gate Lane, Stalmine between 10am and 8.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday and between 10am and 4.30pm on Friday.

Shuttle buses will also be running from Hambleton, Fleetwood and Thornton.

Bus Schedule
Fleetwood (Euston Crescent opposite the North Euston Hotel)
Departing 10.30am, 12.45pm and 15.00pm
Returning 12.35pm, 14.50pm and 17.05pm

Thornton (Thornton Parish Church car park, Meadow Avenue)
Departing 10.45am, 13.00pm, 15.15pm
Returning 12.20pm, 14.35pm, 16.50pm

Hambleton (Where Kiln Lane meets the A588)
Departing 11am, 13.15pm, 15.30pm
Returning 12.05pm, 14.20pm, 16.35pm