Tories Jump The Gun On Incineration

10.46.16am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 27th Sep 2004

Councillor Martin Elengorn

Liberal Democrat spokesman Councillor Martin Elengorn has attacked Richmond's Tory administration for their gung-ho approach to participation in the Slough incinerator at Colnbrook.

Says Martin "At the recent meeting of the Council's Environment and Scrutiny Committee Lib Dem and co-opted community members made clear to Cabinet Member Cllr David Marlow their misgivings about the West London Waste Authority sending waste for incineration at Grundon's incinerator at Slough. Bearing in mind concerns about emissions and disposal of the residual ash and suggestions that more up-to-date technology was available elsewhere it was hoped that other options would be explored. Sadly some Conservative members present felt that the Slough option should be accepted immediately.

Subsequently it has emerged that the Council's Internet poll on subjects for further scrutiny has put waste disposal top of the list. So there is clearly public concern and further work is to be done.

How sad therefore that at West Waste's meeting on 17th September Cllr Marlow voted with the Hillingdon Tory representative against a successful amendment from Hounslow to explore other options. Bearing in mind the incinerator's location to the west of the borough residents expect a precautionary approach and for the least environmentally damaging approach to waste disposal to be taken. The Scrutiny Task Group to be set up following the Internet poll will explore these issues further."