Collision near fracksite sparks rumpus

Anti-fracking campaigners have blamed gas exploration company Cuadrilla for a road accident near its Preston New Road site.
Car crash at fracking site on Preston New RoadCar crash at fracking site on Preston New Road
Car crash at fracking site on Preston New Road

A car was in collision with the rear of another on the eastbound A583 Preston New Road at 8.40am yesterday.

Protesters said the first car had stopped to let a cement truck turn right into the site, which is not meant to happen under the traffic management plan associated with the drill site.

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They said the truck should have come off the M55 at Junction 4 and turned left into the site.

Police are investigating the incident which happened early yesterday involving at Nissan and a Citroen and confirmed the truck was on the west-bound side of the road.

Two people were taken to Blackpool Victorias Hospital but were said to be not seriously hurt.

Protester, John Tootill, who saw the accident said: “I was completely shocked and the police, who witnessed the smash, were also stunned.

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“This incident was entirely created by Cuadrilla and their failed traffic management plan.”
The Preston New Road Action group said: “We are very concerned at the risk of accidents around this site.

“Our primary concern is now for the families affected and we wish to ensure no further accidents of this nature happen again.”
Barbara Richardson, from the Roseacre Awareness Group, which is aiming to fight off a second planning inquiry into a similar fracking bid on traffic grounds, said: “It highlights the dangers of developments such as this on our roads.

“The matter has been referred to LCC’s Planning department.
“This is a highly disruptive and invasive industry which involves thousands of additional HGV movements on our roads.

“This is just one of the reasons we objected to their planning applications.

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“Just imagine what will happen when there are hundreds of sites across the Fylde.”
Cuadrilla said it was not aware that the accident had a link to their site adding: “We are aware there was a traffic incident involving two private vehicles at 8.40am outside the entrance of our Preston New Road site.

“Neither vehicles are connected to the operations under way at our site.

“Police are conducting a thorough investigation which we are assisting with in any way we can.”

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