HGVs to Runcorn incinerator could increase by 600% (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Campaigners protest over 600% rise in incinerator lorries

12:50pm Thursday 17th January 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan

CONTENTIOUS plans to increase the amount of refuse derived fuel delivered by road to a £400 million incinerator by almost six times has incensed campaigners.

Ineos Chlorvinyls wants to change a condition of their planning applilcation for their Energy from Waste Combined Heat and Power Station currently taking shape off Picow Farm Road.

Permission exists for 85,000 tonnes of fuel to be brought in by road, but they want this to increase to 480,000 tonnes.

Brian Powell, of Castner Court, said: “This is a 600 per cent increase. The plant is nearly complete. Ineos must be assuming that human nature is such that the population of Halton will eventually just give up and say: ‘It is going to happen whatever we do.’ “Please don’t roll over and surrender and let them get away with this deception.”

Philippa Edmunds, Freight On Rail manager, said: “It is important that companies are not allowed to use the promise of rail traffic as a cynical ploy to get planning permission for projects. Each freight train can remove around 90 HGVs from our roads.”

Julian Watts of Ineos, said: “We’re fully rail connected but most of our suppliers aren’t.

’”After four years of intense discussion with suppliers, only one contract has been signed for delivery by rail.

“We have listened to the concerns of residents. We’ve responded by agreeing to restrict the routes taken by HGVs so they would avoid residential areas.

“If the council agrees to our application, up to 85 extra HGVs will travel in and out each day.

“It is the equivalent of two extra vehicles for every 1,000 that currently use the Weston Point Expressway.

“There have been suggestions that there will be gridlock on local roads or increases in pollution, but the independent studies don’t support this.

“The Energy from Waste facility is critical to the future of our business.