Incinerator bid sparks fears over emissions

Feb 28 2008 By Matt Lloyd

Cheslyn Hay will suffer along with other parishes in the area if controversial incinerator plans get the go-ahead, councillors fear.

At a meeting last week, councillors expressed concerns over emissions from the plant, intended for Four Ashes, and the pollution caused by the influx of extra vehicles flooding already congested roads.

Addressing members of the parish council, District Cllr Bernard Williams said: "We're going to be surrounded by lots of bad air.

"In Bridgtown on the A5, air quality is so bad they've got to do something about it. Here we have traffic from the M54, M6 and M6 Toll. Wherever we look we have traffic."

Indications suggest lorries carrying waste from all over the county will use the Four Ashes plant, pulling in every 15 minutes to dump their loads.

But Cllr Williams said they would all have to use the A5 to access the incinerator.

He said: "They can't use the A449 because of the low-bridge. We asked if they would be forced to use the toll-road and we were told no. They will come straight down the A5 and onto Vicarage Road.

"They have no intention to put traffic lights there and I think there's going to be an horrific smash there, even with the road alterations the county have promised."

He told members he had raised questions of air quality with county officers at a recent public meeting on the issue.

He said: "I asked if they had taken this into account and they said yes. But I don't think for one minute they've done all the things I'm thinking about.

"All the fallout will be everywhere. I think it is a noble cause, but it is in the wrong area."

Parish councillor Bob Denson said burning waste was not the way forward.

He told the meeting: "Building an incinerator is the easy option. The best way to reduce waste is to increase recycling.

"We're way behind in South Staffs with our recycling rate at 40 per cent. In Denmark and Germany they recycle 80 and 90 per cent of their waste. How many recycling facilities could be built for the same money as the incinerator?"

Long-standing member Cllr Bill Craddock said toxins from the plant were bound to fall on all of the surrounding areas, despite filters built into the 400ft-high-stack on the facility.

He said: "Officials are dodging the questions being asked, they are not answering residents' concerns. There will be fallout and I'm concerned about it."

He added waste would be brought from other areas saying: "It will be coming from as far afield as Warwickshire. I think we're going to be the dumping ground of the West Midlands."