Exposed
“The Environment Agency, which is supposed to protect local people from industrial pollution has let us down” said Pete Kilvert, Chairman of the Breathe Clean Air Group, which is campaigning to stop the Barton Renewable Energy Plant.
Part of the process for ensuring that industrial plants do not pollute the locality is the un-announced visit from the Environment Agency. This is a spot check to see if plants are controlling their emissions within the law.
The Breathe Clean Air Group has asked the Environment Agency “How many un-announced visits have taken place in the North West?”
In an email to the campaign group, the Environment Agency says “Our officer has checked the files and can confirm that the information you have requested (numbers of unannounced visits) is not recorded or collated.”
“In other words, it would appear that there have been NO un-announced visits to polluting industries in the North West”, said Pete Kilvert. “Industry already monitors itself and is supposed to inform the Environment Agency if they pollute beyond legal limits. Now we find that the only means to check this self regulation is NOT being used. No wonder we are badly polluted”.
The Breathe Clean Air Group will be taking up this shocking admission with the Government.
WHY – does the EA think it’s ok for BREP to pollute us even more, we live in an AQMA, with enough toxic air to sink a ship. These are just some of the things we in Davyhulme are awaiting the pollution from (via industrial processes or traffic):
Methane Plant…. Approved
Peel Hotel, Junction 9 M60…. Approved
New Super Market, Junction 10 M60…. Approved
Office Block, Junction 10 M60…. Approved
Conference Centre (EventCity)…. Recently operating
Paper Mill, Carrington…. Recently operating
Salford Reds Stadium…. Recently opened
850MW Gas Power Station, Carrington…. Potential
Green Lane Incinerator, Monton…. Potential.
Traffic is already unacceptable in a residential area due to the Trafford Centre. The M60 is the third busiest motorway in the country. The pollution from this alone is killing people.
When I worked at GMWaste’s Raikes Lane Thermal Recovery Facility (Bolton waste incinerator), we were informed the exact date when the emissions monitoring would take place, it was never unannounced. Also, if there were problems with the plant, the testing could be deferred. Also, when they were on site and there was a problem with the plant, the testing would be suspended. So, the emissions they record may not reflect to true operating emissions of a plant. There are also ‘get-out-clauses’, relating to the on site Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEM) system.