Anti-Incineration March & Rally in Gloucestershire 18 April 2009

Filed in Blog by on April 14, 2009 8 Comments
FavoriteLoadingAdd article to favourites

anti-incineration-rallyIf anyone fancies a spot of campaigning, I’ve just had an email from Rob, who has informed me of the anti-incineration march and rally, here in Gloucestershire this weekend.

SWARD (Safety in Waste and Rubbish Disposal) is inviting local residents to join a march organised by a parish council near Javelin Park, Gloucester, to show opposition to incineration as an option for Gloucestershire.

SWARD will be joining the march, with their banner and “No More Toxic Waste” posters to highlight the toxic residues produced by incinerating waste.

Though the county council has bought Javelin Park, Wingmoor Farm is a strategic waste site that could potentially be used for incineration should they to choose this technology. It is also the site where toxic ash from new incinerators is likely to be dumped.

The official march starts at 10.00 a.m. opposite McDonalds at the beginning of the dual carriageway that leads to J12 of the M5.

At approximately 11.00 a.m. the March ends outside Javelin Park.  There will then be Rally speeches ending at about 11.30 a.m. when 99 red bio degradable balloons with returnable tags will be let off to show the potential range of emissions.  That sounds like a very visual demonstration!

The SWARD coach will leave The Swallow, Bishop’s Cleeve at 9.00 a.m. to reserve your seats please contact SWARD via their website.

Photo credit: Durham Environment Watch

Tags:

About the Author ()

I am a long time supporter of the Green and Sustainable lifestyle. After being caught in the Boscastle floods in 2004, our family begun a journey to respect and promote the importance of Earth's fragile ecosystem, that focussed on reducing waste. Inspired by the beauty and resourcefulness of this wonderful planet, I have published numerous magazine articles on green issues and the author of four books.

Comments (8)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. John Costigane says:

    Mrs Green,

    When the incineration issue is close to home people should attend meetings to show their concern and to listen to expert witnesses who can inform their opinions.

    The toxic waste problem, highlighted by SWARD, is just one of several issues which the incinerator lobby must address.

    Let us hope that the better alternative technologies will be chosen as sustainable solutions to waste treatment.

  2. Here in Canada, we’re always holding Europe up as an example of “the way things should be”. We have this illusion that people cycle around, throwing fresh veggies into their front baskets and enjoying free schooling, wonderful health care and 8 weeks of sunny vacation every year.

    I recently read someone arguing FOR burning garbage saying “they do it in Europe”, and implying that we needed to catch up. Good to see that some people still think that pouring toxins into the air isn’t the best method. Hope the rally goes well and that someone over here takes note.

  3. Mrs Green says:

    @John Costigane: Hi John – nothing has been written in stone yet as to the use of the land, but it’s better to state our opinion now than find we have been rail-roaded without saying anything.

    @Jen from CleanBin: Isn’t that funny jen – I always look to Canada as the way forward for recycling. Some of us cycle around on bikes – maybe that is more in France. Over here people drive 1/2 a mile to the nearest supermarket LOL!

  4. John Costigane says:

    @Mrs Green: The public have every right to air their views, Mrs Green. I have noticed that some plans for EfW seem to be to increase sites already in use, by adding to established capacity. This would be easier to push through, though still leading to increased toxic outputs. That is certainly a climbdown from the fifty new plants originally planned.

    Jen, the problem is the same the world over with unholy alliances trying to railroad the public.

  5. Mrs Green says:

    You can read the full story about the protest rally in our local paper:
    http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/gloucestershireheadlines/Balloon-released-incinerator-protest/article-914404-detail/article.html

    It seems the council are not planning on making a decision for another two years …

  6. John Costigane says:

    A good article, Mrs Green, with anti and pro posts for the issue. Take the “2-year” with a bit of salt. Previous experience shows things are done on the quiet and fait accompli is the preferred option for these characters.

  7. Mrs Green says:

    @John Costigane: Hi John, it was a good write up, although I am concerned about the balloon release. Even being biodegradable ones, that takes time and in the meantime causes litter and some possible tragedy for wildlife.

    I understand the visual message, but not sure about the ethics.

  8. John Costigane says:

    @Mrs Green: The balloon release was ill-judged, Mrs Green, thought there was a valid point to incinerator outflow spread.

    The ethics point is that though councils can make announcements about timescales, these can be overturned by the PFI system which originates in central government. There have been plenty of instances of incinerator plans appearing which undermine local wishes, including councillors. Therefore, people should be ready for “new developments”.

Leave a Reply