RESIDENTS have been joined by Warrington North MP Helen Jones in their outrage over a proposed extension to the life of Risley tip.

Biffa Waste Services Limited submitted an application to Warrington Borough Council last month asking for an 18-month extension to April 2012 for the completion of waste disposal operations and another 12 months to complete restoration of the site.

It is the second time Risley tip has angered homeowners after the original 1992 council agreement which should have seen the tip closed in 2008, was extended.

Mrs Jones said: “People were extremely angry when, in 2007, Biffa secured an extension to their operations at the site.

“I expressed my concern at that time that Biffa would seek further extensions in the future and this is exactly what is happening.

“The borough council failed to monitor and regulate operations at the site in order to ensure the end of waste disposal operations by October 2008. It seems to have failed to do so again.”

Mrs Jones added that the council should hold Biffa to account and ensure the site is landscaped and closed in 2011 in line with the terms of the extension agreed in 2007.

She added: “Biffa give dates to close the site and as they approach, extensions are requested.

“People have a right to know how long this cycle will go on for – another two years, another five years, another 10 years?

“The tactic of securing extension after extension is simply not acceptable.

“Biffa should honour the agreement they have and if they are not prepared to do so the council should not consent to further extensions.”

The application follows proposals from Arpley landfill to extend the life of the Sankey Bridges tip for a further 12 years.

A number of residents have complained about the Risley tip, Silver Lane application.

Comments on the council website included: “It is a visual eyesore... when Biffa applied for the previous extension we were assured they would not seek further extensions.”

Others commented on noise, smells and flies coming from the site.