New Concerns Following Dumfries’ Plant Incidents

Toxic pollution breaches and an explosion at a new Scottish waste incinerator have caused great concern to Urmston’s air pollution watchdogs, the Breathe Clean Air Group. The incidents at the plant near Dumfries, involving the release of cancer-causing dioxins, have triggered tough legal action from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.

“The same thing could happen in Urmston, if the controversial Barton Renewable Energy Plant is allowed to go ahead” said the group’s Chairman Pete Kilvert. “We know that Peel Energy has a partnership with a company named Covanta at their proposed plant in Ince Marshes, and Covanta has been prosecuted in the USA for several breaches of air pollution regulations for the same deadly chemical release”, he added. “The people of Trafford and Salford don’t want to live in fear of their lives if the Davyhulme incinerator is given planning permission by the Government.”

A public Inquiry was held in November for planning permission for the Barton Renewable Energy Plant and the Inspector’s recommendation should be made in early February. Then the Minister of State, Mr Eric Pickles, will make the final decision by early May.

The Breathe Clean Air Group has recently written to Mr Pickles with regard to other pollutants that would be caused by the incinerator. A recent research paper has linked nitrogen dioxide with the unborn child. Pregnant mothers could now live in fear of their babies contracting diabetes and themselves suffering from preeclampsia. In another report sent to Mr Pickles, the European Commissioner for the Environment points to the danger of tiny particles known as Particulate Matter. He says that there are an estimated 420,000 premature deaths per year in Europe due to air pollution.

The Group will continue to fight the imposition of the waste-burning incinerator and will campaign to improve Trafford’s Air Quality. They are currently raising funds by running a Valentine’s Day raffle and are organising one final event. Watch this space for more info!