Dear Messenger,
Viridor Waste Management, owners and operators of Parkwood Landfill Site, issued a press release which was printed in the Sheffield Star, which says that from 16th July this year hazardous waste will no longer be accepted at Parkwood. Viridor, it says, ‘respects the wishes of the local community.’ The Parkwood Landfill Action Group are aware that due to the new European directive on landfill sites, hazardous waste can no longer be accepted at Parkwood.
However, we are also aware that the many thousands of tons of hazardous waste accepted at the site over the last 18 years or so, still has the potential to harm human health and the environment. Particularly as huge amounts of hazardous waste known as “soda slag” is currently being dug up and moved from one area to another, in order for engineering work to take place
Staff working on this project are wearing white cover-all protective clothing which has to be destroyed at the end of the day, so surely this hazardous waste which can no longer be accepted at Parkwood, should not be moved around.
We have expressed grave concerns to both the environment Agency and to Dr Jeremy Wight, who is currently conducting a Health Impact Assessment on the possible health effects of the site on local residents. Members of this group have also expressed concern that our City Council appear to give a very low priority to the Landfill and the problems it imposes on local residents. The Liaison Group, which was established by councilor Jan Wilson in September 2003, has had three very important meetings cancelled since April 2004. Two were due to councilors having other meetings to attend, the last one with only 2 or 3 hours notice.
This is just not good enough!
Yours faithfully, Jean Armstrong (Mrs),Chair – Parkwood Landfill Action Group