Local concerns regarding the Allington
waste to energy incinerator plant
It seemed an
unbeleivable decision to site a waste incinerator close to a residential
area of Maidstone. Even though there is a railway line between them.
Conventional
incinerators have been renowned for having a bad track record regarding
emitting dangerous level of pollution, in USA several were closed
down, for causing atmospheric pollution in the form of dioxins,
particulates, heavy metals (like mercury and arsenic), sulphur dioxide,
nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide.
Noise, oder
and emmissions. With more stringent pollution regulations that the
EEC have demanded, the new generation waste to energy plants promise
to perform in a safer way. The operation is regulated and monitored
by The Environment Agency, local councils also monitor the air.
Incineration
still requires landfill space for the resultant ash.
In order for
the plant to be profitable it requires a large catchment to supply
the massive quantities of waste needed to feed it. This will extend
from Tunbridge Wells to South London.
Incineration
creates more traffic pollution, on a stretch of road that frequently
becomes gridlock in rush hours and times of motorway incidents.
It creates little
employment.
It is essential
that the operation is well monitored and that any problems are quickly
rectified.
