DON'T DUMP YOUR TOXIC WASTE UNDER OUR VILLAGE (From Warrington Guardian)

DON'T DUMP YOUR TOXIC WASTE UNDER OUR VILLAGE

CAMPAIGNERS believe people power can stop industrial waste being stored under their homes.

Waste management company Minosus wants to dump thousands of tonnes of rubbish in the vast caverns of Winsford's rock salt mine.

But the mine's tunnels criss-cross the area south of Davenham - and villagers are far from happy.

Protesters from Moulton action group RAMP - Residents Against Mine Pollution RAMP - are urging people to fight the scheme together.

"This is not just something which affects the people of Moulton," said Peggy Kent. "There are more than 100 miles of tunnel in the mine which are under many of the villages in the area.

"We are trying to get the people of Davenham and Bostock to support our protest by writing to the county council and objecting to the proposals."

Minosus wants to base the operation on Jack Lane. They plan to use mine shaft number four to transport containers filled with refuse hundreds of feet underground.

The scheme, which also includes plans for building work at the surface, will be decided by the county council after May 12. But public comments must be in by then - and RAMP want as many people as possible to make their voices heard.

"If we are living here in 20 years time we are not going to be known as a salt town. We are going to be known as a waste town," added Mrs Kent, of Antony Drive.

"We believe the mine could be used to store so many other things, or even become a tourist attraction. After all it represents 150 years of Northwich's heritage.

"We are also concerned the mine could flood, which it has in the past. What would happen to the waste then?"

The plans have provoked widespread criticism. Moulton residents spoke out at a packed public meeting while the village council believes the scheme would devalue homes and pave the way for toxic waste to be stored underground in the future. The campaign got another boost last week when Moulton MP Sir Alastair Goodland lent his support after meeting RAMP members.

But Minosus remain adamant that the waste would pose no threat to the environment.

Managing director Roger Shaw said: "Although some of the waste would contain harmful chemicals such as cyanide, arsenic and mercury, these would only be present in parts per million, a very low proportion.

"They could only do harm to water sources if they were allowed to escape into the environment. But packaging measures would ensure this would not happen during transport, handling or disposal.

"All these wastes currently go to surface landfill sites. Minosus believe their disposal in the dry, stable environment of the mine would represent a far better option."

Minosus bosses say the visual impact of the development above ground would be minimal and the facility would not produce any noise or smells.

They also denied villagers' claims that lorries transporting the waste to the site would jam roads and thunder past home.

Minosus stress that lorries travelling to the site, which could number up to 25 during each working day, would use a set route and be banned from Davenham village and the B5336 north of Brick Kiln Lane.

Mr Shaw added: "Minosus do not wish to speculate on the eventual outcome of this application, and is more than happy to let the tried and trusted democratic process take its course."

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