Star date: 9th October 2011

SALFORD JOINS MARCH AGAINST INCINERATOR

At the beginning of the year, Salford people joined a huge march around the Urmston area against Peel Holdings' plans to build an incinerator in Barton, just over the border from our city.

Salford has a major interest in this as protesters claim the emissions from the plant will blow over into Barton, Ordsall, the Quays and MediaCityUK. Last weekend there was another march through Urmston as the campaign grows as strong as ever…

See here for further details and more photos…

Last weekend, another big march took place through the streets of Urmston, in protest at Peel Holdings' plans for an incinerator on the Trafford side of Barton.

The incinerator, also known as the Barton Renewable Energy Plant, will, campaigners claim, affect the health of Salford citizens…

"Toxic emissions from this plant are going to affect Salford too, if it gets planning permission" said Pete Kilvert, chairman of the Breathe Clean Air Group "Recent statements from the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association have all condemned burning biomass for causing ill health and disease amongst local residents".

After the last march in January, Salford Star published a map of the fall out area which included most of Salford (see here). And in Trafford, local councillors are still queuing up to oppose Peels' plans. Councillors like Michael Cornes…

"When Peel Energy first showed me their intended plans I told them I was primarily concerned about emissions from the chimney, toxic waste removal from the site, and the increase in traffic, caused by ludicrously importing waste material from outside the area" he says "None of these concerns have been satisfactorily addressed, and my concerns have only increased…It has been labelled `biomass' to make it sound environmentally friendly but even Peel Energy admit to 5-10% non-biomass and the Environment Agency confirm it is an incinerator!"

The Urmston Family Day of Action coincided with 2011Global Day of Action against Waste and Incineration which was sponsored by the international group, Global Alliance for Incineration Alternatives. Their Climate Policy campaigner Mariel Vilella from Barcelona, spoke to the crowd at Urmston's Golden Hill Park…

"These plants should not burn wood and other waste that should be recycled or composted" she said "The emissions from burning are too dangerous. You are not alone in your campaign against incineration. There are over 600 campaign groups trying to stop this destruction and pollution. It's great that you have shown your opposition to this plant on 2011 Global Day of Action against Waste and Incineration".

For further details see www.breathecleanairgroup.co.uk