HGV's - Urgent action needed

Ineos have applied for a variation in conditions regarding the planned incinerator in Runcorn which according to Halton Action Group against the Incinerator (HAGATI) will have the potential to significantly increase HGV movements in the borough.

Ineos, as I understand it, are now requesting an increase in waste moved on Haltons roads from 85,000 tonnes to 480,000 tonnes annually. This will, according to HAGATI, involve a total of 384 HGV's movements  per 24 hour cycle on the roads in the borough.

This will mean that the estimated (mine from figures provided by the council) 800 HGV's increase per 24 hour cycle on Halton's roads in the next 10 years related to other projects will now stand at over 1100 HGV's every day and counting.

Halton is in an area of high incidence of chest disease and comes at a time when a select committee in the House of Commons last year received research evidence that suggested we ought to be reducing such movements by up to a third in pollution hotspots.

I'd urge people to consider objecting to this variation in the application. Below is a copy of the email I received from HAGATI with relevant information.

"Hi everyone. Yes HAGATI does still exist. In fact, we have been working so hard since INEOS received their Planning Permission by the Secretary of State we have not had time to keep everyone up to date and our old Web Site has expired. We believe that, although INEOS won the first battle, they have definately not yet won the war. INEOS have NOT got their Environmental Permit to run yet and there are a lot of reasons why they should have it refused, so if we stay positive, with all the evidence we have now collected, HAGATI still believes that the gamble INEOS took by starting all the work will backfire on them.




The current major issue is that INEOS have applied for a variation on Condition 57 which Halton Borough Council laid down to ensure the protection and safety of residents. INEOS now want to increase the amount of waste being delivered by road, (they got their sums wrong in their calculations as to how much could come by rail and canal) from 85,000 tonnes per year to a whopping 480,000 tonnes per year. This will result in 384 Heavy Goods Vehicle movements per day to and from the INEO site alone, (not to mention the traffic for their personnell) contributing to the exceptionally high amount of traffic using the Runcorn Expressway, Westfield Interchange, not only affecting congestion and nuisance, but will increase the very high levels of traffic pollution.



HAGATI believe that, if permission for a variation to Condition 57 is agreed in this instance, it will not only add to the existing problems mentioned above, but will set a precedent to further applications for variations being made to these most crucial Conditions by INEOS, therefore removing the limited protection to residents which Halton Borough Council insisted upon.



At the least, if you agree with us that permission should not be granted, write to Halton Borough Council letting them know. Email dev.control@halton.gov.uk or write to Environment and Regulatory Services, Rutland House, Haton Lea, Runcorn, WA7 2DR. You must do this to be received by them before 3 February 2011 if possible although we suspect that later letters will be accepted. I have attached a copy of the letter from Halton Borough Council for your information, as this Application will affect more than the amount of people who received it".