14 MAIN EDITION www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk Wednesday, December 10, 2014 Politically Correct Do you agree with David? Gina Dowding [email protected] county councillor for Lancaster Central Power of waves could send frackers packing

Almost every day more meeting on 13 January for Dr evidence emerges about the ‘Globally the UK Aggidis to explain the basic disadvantages of drilling for has the second technology and the pitfalls shale gas – both in terms of that need to be overcome. He will also explain why the risks of pollution to our air highest tides’ tidal energy technology is and water as well as the con- now being regarded as a via- tribution more fossil fuels will day, 365 days a year. ble new source of energy and make to CO2 emissions and Dr George Aggidis, Direc- which over the past four years climate change. tor of Lancaster University has seen a rapid take up of in- Renewable Energy Group has terest within the commercial But there is a consensus that been researching in the field sector. as well as measures to help of tidal energy for many years Anyone is welcome to the reduce energy use, the UK right here in Lancashire. meeting in Lancaster: details urgently needs reliable, long- We in the UK and particu- are on the North Lancashire term, safe energy supplies. larly here in the North West Green party website. It is strange to me that so are ideally located to take ad- Meanwhile, I hope the little attention is being given vantage of tidal energy. county councillors on Lanca- to alternative renewable ener- There could be concerns shire’s Development Control gies other than wind and solar about the ecological impact of Committee considering the power. For example, why on underwater turbines in some two planning applications earth has there been so little areas and of course initial for fracking in the Fylde do attention given to tidal power? infrastructure is extremely not allow the promises of the Globally, the UK has the expensive – but it is an invest- companies involved in shale second highest tides, capable ment for safe, long-term, clean gas extraction to prevent of generating a predictable energy. them taking a long term view source of long term renewa- North Lancashire Green of what is needed for our chil- ENERGY POTENTIAL Could the power of Britain’s coastal waves be harnessed to provide power ble energy, twice daily, every party is hosting a public dren’s well being. Improve local lines first before Help defeat worrying about high speed links tax dodgers Money raised through taxes every year. Services could High speed rail travel has been in towns such as Fleetwood jobs in the north, while wors- funds the essentials of a civi- be significantly improved if in the media spotlight recently (one of the largest towns in the ening passenger service and lised society. all multinationals paid their with High Speed Two (HS2) country with no rail station) safety by the introduction of Services and infrastruc- fair share in tax. the proposed high speed rail and electrification of all local driver-only operation, the ture such as highways and In the UK, it is claimed link from London to Man- lines- which would speed up sacking of conductors, sta- public transport, waste col- Alliance Boots avoided more chester, and then a sudden local journeys and really im- tion de-staffingand ticket of- lection, arts and education than £1bn in taxes over six new idea by Government for prove our local economies. fice closures. enable us to function as a years, enough to pay the HS3, a high speed rail link run- Meanwhile, this summer This could particularly community. They also fund starting salaries of 78,000 ning east–west across the Pen- the Department for Transport impact on disabled and older crucial services that many UK nurses for a year. nines. and Rail North was consulting passengers. of us will need at particular My Green Party col- I think many of us would on proposals which would I am raising this with the times such as hospitals, wel- leagues on Lancaster City prefer to see money invested see both fare rises and cuts to cabinet member for transport fare and pensions. Council persuaded the coun- in our regional railways – ‘High services. at the County Council. While many ordinary peo- cil to support the Towns Quality One’ – before we invest The RMT, Britain’s largest He is on our representa- ple in the UK are experienc- against Tax Dodging Cam- in these vanity projects. Rail transport union. is opposing tive on Rail North – but it’s ing hardship and rising costs, paign which is urging the commuters in the north know these ‘McNulty Rail Review’ vital that the public tell their it has been estimated that the Government to do more to that we need better quality proposals due to concerns MPs not to allow our local rail UK Treasury loses as much as tackle tax dodging and close train stock, more frequent that they will also result in the services to lose out to big £12bn to tax dodging by some tax loop holes. We need more services, opening stations loss of many decent, skilled projects. multinational companies councils to join them.