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Balcombe oil drilling: Protesters block Cuadrilla truck Balcombe oil drilling: Protesters block Cuadrilla truck
(about 3 hours later)
Protesters have blocked a lorry entering a site where test drilling for oil is to take place. Up to 100 protesters have blocked a lorry entering a site where test drilling for oil is to take place.
About 50 activists stopped the vehicle, which was carrying equipment, outside Balcombe, West Sussex. The vehicle had its brake lines cut during the demonstration near Balcombe, Sussex, said Sussex Police.
Officers said the truck was quickly repaired without "interference from any demonstrators".
Cuadrilla plans to start drilling a 3,000ft (914m) vertical well and a 2,500ft (762m) horizontal bore to the south of the village on Saturday.Cuadrilla plans to start drilling a 3,000ft (914m) vertical well and a 2,500ft (762m) horizontal bore to the south of the village on Saturday.
The company said it was a temporary operation and any further activity would need fresh permission.The company said it was a temporary operation and any further activity would need fresh permission.
Sussex Police said officers were at the site of the protest. A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "A lorry trying to enter the site had its brake lines cut shortly after 8am, but a repair was quickly carried out without interference from any demonstrators.
"Demonstrators are currently blocking access for the lorry at the entrance to the site and we are in negotiation with them with a view to enabling the lorry to enter.
"There have been no arrests and no injuries. A small number of local officers are present."
'Not the solution''Not the solution'
Campaigners are also demonstrating over fears the tests will lead to a large increase in the number of lorries in the area, and about Cuadrilla's involvement in shale gas exploration using hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Campaigners are also demonstrating over fears the tests will lead to a large increase in the number of lorries in the area and about Cuadrilla's involvement in shale gas exploration using hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
Simon Medhurst, who locked himself into a tunnel under the Bexhill-to-Hastings link road in January, and former Liberal Democrat mayor of Telscombe and ex-Playboy model Marina Pepper, are among the activists.
Many waved banners with anti-fracking and fossil fuel slogans and sang songs while they blocked the lorry from going into the drilling site.
Brenda Pollack, regional campaigner for Friends of the Earth South East, said: "Shale gas and oil are not the solution to our energy challenges.Brenda Pollack, regional campaigner for Friends of the Earth South East, said: "Shale gas and oil are not the solution to our energy challenges.
"They threaten local communities, pollute our atmosphere and there's plenty of evidence they won't bring down fuel prices."They threaten local communities, pollute our atmosphere and there's plenty of evidence they won't bring down fuel prices.
"It's time to end the nation's costly addiction to dirty fossil fuels and build a clean future based on energy efficiency and harnessing the power of the wind, waves and sun.""It's time to end the nation's costly addiction to dirty fossil fuels and build a clean future based on energy efficiency and harnessing the power of the wind, waves and sun."
The tests will see if oil or gas, if found, could be extracted. The tests will see if oil or gas, if found, can be extracted.
'Oil drilling only''Oil drilling only'
Cuadrilla obtained a waste permit from the Environment Agency on Tuesday - the final regulatory approval it needed to carry out the work near Balcombe.Cuadrilla obtained a waste permit from the Environment Agency on Tuesday - the final regulatory approval it needed to carry out the work near Balcombe.
A spokesman for the energy firm said: "Cuadrilla's forthcoming activity at Balcombe is for exploratory drilling only and is a temporary operation that will not include hydraulic fracturing.A spokesman for the energy firm said: "Cuadrilla's forthcoming activity at Balcombe is for exploratory drilling only and is a temporary operation that will not include hydraulic fracturing.
"Should Cuadrilla wish to undertake further activity, they would need to apply for new permissions and licences from the relevant regulatory authorities."Should Cuadrilla wish to undertake further activity, they would need to apply for new permissions and licences from the relevant regulatory authorities.
"We have communicated what we are doing to the local community through information sessions and written communications."We have communicated what we are doing to the local community through information sessions and written communications.
"Furthermore we have been in regular contact with the parish council and other local councils as well as going through all the necessary planning and permit applications to undertake this work.""Furthermore we have been in regular contact with the parish council and other local councils as well as going through all the necessary planning and permit applications to undertake this work."
West Sussex County Council granted Cuadrilla planning permission to undertake exploration work in 2010.West Sussex County Council granted Cuadrilla planning permission to undertake exploration work in 2010.