AN anti-incinerator campaigner has penned a letter in the hope of stopping 300,000 tonnes of West London rubbish being sent to Northwich.
Tata Chemicals Europe and E.ON Energy, who plan to build an energy from waste plant in Lostock Gralam, off Griffiths Road, are hoping to treat the waste after bidding on a contract put out to tender by the West London Waste Authority (WLWA).
The £500m contract would require the treatment of 300,000 tonnes of rubbish a year for the next 25 years.
A second bid has been made by SITA UK Limited, with both theirs and Tata/E.ON’s in the final stage of the dialogue process.
Liam Byrne, a member of the Cheshire Anti Incinerator Network (CHAIN) – who have vehemently opposed Tata and E.ON’s plans, wrote to WLWA in the hope of convincing them to turn down the bid.
The Northwich resident wrote: “For the first time that anybody can remember, serious investment is taking place for the regeneration of the town centre.
“[Northwich is] not a place where any sane or responsible organisation would want to build a large power station, approximately the size of Wembley Stadium, just about one mile from its very centre and not a suitable place to which Londoners should send their garbage on a journey of 200 miles for incineration.
“It cannot be fair or just that the health and quality of life of the people of Northwich could be treated in such a selfish and cavalier way for decades to come.
“As a person who has two children and two grandchildren living in London, I know that the situation would not be tolerated for one minute if it were reversed and Cheshire rubbish was being transported down into the capital.
“I am making a plea that your board does not decide to send the waste created in West London to our town of Northwich in Cheshire.
"Our people and our town deserve better.”
The Guardian understands that WLWA expects to be in a position to select its preferred bidder by April.
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