North Wales MP David Hanson has thrown his weight behind a West Wirral campaign against underground coal gasification work in the Dee Estuary.

He joined Wirral West Labour Party parliamentary candidate Margaret Greenwood this week to meet local campaigners and listen to concerns of local residents about the potential risks of UCG to the beauty spot.

Margaret Greenwood said: “It is a real boost to have the support of the Member of Parliament for Delyn. UCG is a matter of real concern to local people, and David Hanson has offered to pursue this issue.”

“UCG brings with it considerable environmental risks. The Dee Estuary is internationally important for its bird and marine life.

“People in Wirral and in Flint, on the Welsh side of the estuary, need to be informed about these risks and the potential harm that could be done to the river, the surrounding environment and local businesses.”

“I am looking forward to working with David on this matter to make sure that the voices of local people are heard.”

She added: “UCG should not go ahead because we don’t know if it’s safe.”

A conditional licence was awarded for underground coal gasification in the Dee estuary in January last year to Cluff Natural Resources.

Underground coal gasification converts coal to gas while still in the coal seam. Gas is produced and extracted through wells drilled into the unmined seam.

Injection wells are used to supply oxidants (air, oxygen, or steam) to ignite and fuel the underground combustion process.

Separate production wells are used to bring the product gas to surface