Chris makes waste case (From Warrington Guardian)

Chris makes waste case

in TV debate

A SCHOOLBOY who has warned that Winsford could have a large scale disaster on its hands, has gone head-to-head on television with the man spearheading the plan to store industrial waste at the salt mine.

Middlewich High School pupil Chris Whittaker, of Petrel Close, Winsford, believes storing thousands of tonnes of rubbish at the mine is potentially disasterous.

He has aired his feelings to millions of viewers watching Granada Tonight last week, alongside Roger Shaw, managing director of Minosus, the local company applying for permission to carry out the plan.

And now Chris plans to alert others that didn't see the programme of the dangers he feels are presented by the plans of Minosus, who are expected to submit a planning application to Cheshire County Council within the next two weeks.

Chris, aged 16, said: "I think it's a bad thing for the local area because the company has said there's thousands of tonnes of rubbish they're going to dump there. There's also going to be up to 50 vehicles a day using the road.

"Obviously that's a lot of traffic that the people of Winsford and Moulton are going to have to put up with and what about in 10 or 15 years time when there's a lot of rubbish stored in the salt mine?

"In the event of an accident, there's going to be a large scale disaster. There are safety aspects to consider and this is dangerous.

"There was a flood down the mine a few years ago, what if this happens again? Or what if there's a fire? This waste could get out into the atmosphere. People could be breathing in harmful fumes."

He said: "I would not want to be living in this area with the knowledge that there could be a disaster hanging over my head every day.

"I have always been fairly green and I thought somebody had to do something before it was too late. And, as I felt strongly about it, I decided to speak up."

Roger Shaw welcomed Chris' interest and appeared with him on the programme in an attempt to make the people of Winsford fully understand the plan.

He said: "The difference of opinion seems to be that Chris thinks waste shouldn't be produced in the first place. What we're trying to say is that industry is having to eliminate waste at the moment and we are offering the best environmental option.

"I have met with Chris at his school and I think the time we have given to him reflects that we have endeavoured to respond to his thoughts and make sure everything we do is answering all the concerns."

Roger has also met with parish councils and local environmental groups to gauge public opinion.

He said: "We have held meetings and although people aren't saying it's a good idea, they are understanding in real detail what it is we want to do and feel more relaxed."

Roger has also played down fears that Winsford will become known as a waste capital in years to come.

"Much more waste goes to Warrington and Crewe on surface landfill sites, but neither of them are known as the waste capital," he added.

"If we get the application approved many people may not be aware of the waste, it would be just an everyday occurrence. Then again, if the application goes through, we may find ourselves with more objections."

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