Anti-fracking protest blocks busy road again

Police closed the A583 Preston New Road, near Little Plumpton, just after 4pm because protestors were on the roadway.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said traffic was flowing again on the road at about 4.45pm.

The spokesperson said: “Police are at the scene currently engaging with protestors.”

Energy firm Cuadrilla is carrying out shale gas exploration at a nearby site.

Protestors have carried out a number of demonstrations there.

Earlier this month, traffic was halted outside the gas exploration site for hours.

Police were called as campaigners locked themselves together on the road.

Officers led several protestors away from the scene.

Cuadrilla condemned the protest as “utterly selfish”.

Protests have been held at the site since work started on January 5.