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| Balcombe anti-fracking protesters to be evicted | Balcombe anti-fracking protesters to be evicted |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Anti-fracking protesters were warned to leave their camp in Balcombe, West Sussex, at 09:00 BST or face eviction. | |
| West Sussex County Council said it would then start removing people, roadside tents, canopies and caravans on the B2036 London Road. | |
| The protesters are located near the site where energy company Cuadrilla is carrying out exploratory drilling work in search of oil. | The protesters are located near the site where energy company Cuadrilla is carrying out exploratory drilling work in search of oil. |
| They fear test drilling could lead to hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. | They fear test drilling could lead to hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. |
| The No Fracking in Balcombe Society said the council, accompanied by bailiffs, had served an eviction notice on the camp at 15:00 BST, telling the protesters to leave before 09:00 BST on Tuesday. | The No Fracking in Balcombe Society said the council, accompanied by bailiffs, had served an eviction notice on the camp at 15:00 BST, telling the protesters to leave before 09:00 BST on Tuesday. |
| They have been camped on site for the past two months. | They have been camped on site for the past two months. |
| Kathryn McWhirter, who is from the village and is an active member of the protest camp, said: "We are horrified at the treatment of these dedicated people who have been here with our blessing for weeks now, helping us to protect our countryside, our health, our water, our air. | Kathryn McWhirter, who is from the village and is an active member of the protest camp, said: "We are horrified at the treatment of these dedicated people who have been here with our blessing for weeks now, helping us to protect our countryside, our health, our water, our air. |
| "The council is not acting today on behalf of the majority of residents of our village." | "The council is not acting today on behalf of the majority of residents of our village." |
| 'Defined protest area' | 'Defined protest area' |
| In a statement, the county council said the action was being taken to protect all road users, and was not about removing the right to peaceful protest. | In a statement, the county council said the action was being taken to protect all road users, and was not about removing the right to peaceful protest. |
| A spokesman said: "This is a very busy road with a 60 mph limit, and unlit at night. There are increased safety concerns that as a responsible highways authority we must address." | A spokesman said: "This is a very busy road with a 60 mph limit, and unlit at night. There are increased safety concerns that as a responsible highways authority we must address." |
| He said there had been a number of incidents in the road which gave rise to new concerns, including an incident where a man climbed a tripod in the middle of the road, which cars had to avoid. | He said there had been a number of incidents in the road which gave rise to new concerns, including an incident where a man climbed a tripod in the middle of the road, which cars had to avoid. |
| Sixty children were delayed in getting to school, he added. | Sixty children were delayed in getting to school, he added. |
| "Local schools have started a new term and as a result there is likely to more traffic using this section of road," the statement said. | "Local schools have started a new term and as a result there is likely to more traffic using this section of road," the statement said. |
| "There has also been rain and that brings with it the risk of vehicles skidding if they are distracted by activity in the road, or on the verges." | "There has also been rain and that brings with it the risk of vehicles skidding if they are distracted by activity in the road, or on the verges." |
| The council spokesman said the authority and police were establishing "a defined area where peaceful protest will be facilitated". | The council spokesman said the authority and police were establishing "a defined area where peaceful protest will be facilitated". |
| "We need to strike a balance between the safety of road users and the democratic right of people to protest lawfully," he added. | "We need to strike a balance between the safety of road users and the democratic right of people to protest lawfully," he added. |
| Last week, Cuadrilla announced that it had withdrawn an application for an extension to its planning permission for exploratory drilling at Balcombe. | Last week, Cuadrilla announced that it had withdrawn an application for an extension to its planning permission for exploratory drilling at Balcombe. |
| This means that a planning committee meeting due on 19 September has been cancelled, the spokesman said. | This means that a planning committee meeting due on 19 September has been cancelled, the spokesman said. |
| The company has confirmed that a new planning application for the site will be lodged in the near future, but this will not go in front of the committee before next year. | The company has confirmed that a new planning application for the site will be lodged in the near future, but this will not go in front of the committee before next year. |
| There will be a full consultation with every opportunity to make representations, the spokesman said. | There will be a full consultation with every opportunity to make representations, the spokesman said. |