Protestors march against incinerator plans (From Sutton Guardian)

I find Phil Thomas’s comments appalling, but maybe not surprising. This from an elected councillor who has consistently avoided or refused public debate on an issue that will affect tens of thousands of the public he is supposed to protect and represent. There are numerous studies that have drawn direct links between health problems and a close proximity to incinerators – across Europe and in the U.S. Even the person employed by Viridor to run the recent Health Impact Assessment workshops, Roger Barrowcliff, accepted that an incinerator with an 85m high chimney was going to add to emissions, including dioxins, that would find their way into the air that we breathe.

There was an alternative solution to our waste problem which would have avoided the need to build another incinerator. This was rejected on cost grounds only. The additional savings equate to 50p per person, per year over the 25 year life of the contract for each resident living in the SLWP area! A price worth paying?

I was on the march. I can assure Councillor Thomas that I am not a member of the Green Party or the Labour Party and I certainly don't 'like to go on marches'.

However, I also don't like councils who break their election promises and then push plans through in secret meetings!

Health effects around incinerators !?
If councillor Phil Thomas knew anything he would know that there are international norms for mortality (not including morbidity)increases with extra air pollution.
Last Wednesday King's College published research from the SELCHP air space in Lewisham that showed increases in pollution of up to 184% above normal.That equates to lots of extra heart attacks, respiratory deaths and extra old age deaths. Asthma attacks of a severity requiring hospital admission increase by 700% above general norms and 70% above urban norms.
He is living in denial because acknowledging the truth bankrupts the proposal,politically
.

http://www.londonair
.org.uk/london/repor
ts/PM10_from_waste_s
ites_Mercury_Way.pdf

Could Cllr Thomas be any more patronising if he tried? For shame!

Well if this is the level to which he has to stoop in order and the best argument he can present, it clearly shows how little he has to say to defend his pet project. One has to wonder how much he is getting paid to push it through.

What he has failed to explain is WHY people would "only be interested in scaremongering", I mean what exactly would be achieved here?

I too, was at the march. I am protesting about it because neither the Council nor Viridor can answer people's questions/queries satisfactorily. There is a huge issue about the health implications, as well as concern about the environment. If air pollution wasn't an issue, why do the Council say they will glue the dust to the roads? Absolute nonsense as it has to go through the air we breathe to get to the road in the first place. Too much secrecy on this for my liking

Cllr Thomas's reply to this is what annoys me the most.

Much as it is true many are running out there, many are not based slap-bang in the middle of a large population center. Many are in coastal and rural areas, where the air is clearer and there are less people to poison. And, obviously, many many have been shut down as they were seen as dangerous.

But then, as I've said before, this Tory Councillor would not know one end of a power-plant from another. And doesn't even know how to use google it would appear.

And...

The modern Plasma units have only been around in Germany for 3-4 years. And it takes about 10 years for health blips to show up, based on previous ( very easy to find ) case studies of Incineration near people. So...

Classic mistakes from a Councillor who simply does not know his subject, is reliant on others, and does not understand fully the reports said others provide. Said others who are clearly trying to sell him millions of pounds worth of kit as well; so might be a little, erm, biased...

The over-confidence and utter naivety is truly shocking. How on earth was he selected for this ( or any ) Council role if he knows so little?

He is not qualified to have made this decision.

"the remainder of the people are those who like to go on marches."
What an arrogant, patronising git he sounds.

When campaigners first started raising concerns, 3.5 years ago, that an incinerator would be built in Beddington, they were accused of scaremongering. Now we are due to have an application for an incinerator (not my words but the words of the Environment Agency) in Beddington.

LynnMac is correct. Why use pollution glue if there isn't a problem with poor air quality??

Could the Croydon Guardian do us all a favour by showing on a map where those Councillors in Croydon and Sutton live, approximately, without being too precise, in relation to the siting of the incinerator. Also please show the location of the Royal Marsden Hospital at Sutton for the benefit of those who could need treatment for cancer in the future from dioxins and other toxic chemicals finding their way into the air we breathe.

Just to be clear:
"The Glue Lorry is public health fraud on an industrial scale"

http://cleanairinlon
don.org/pollution-su
ppressor-public-heal
th-fraud-on-an-indus
trial-scale/

you can guess what that says about people who promote it.

Just to be clear:
"The Glue Lorry is public health fraud on an industrial scale"

http://cleanairinlon
don.org/pollution-su
ppressor-public-heal
th-fraud-on-an-indus
trial-scale/

you can guess what that says about people who promote it.

So the ‘public protest’ that we’d heard so much about from that angry little man at Inside Croydon actually turned out to be…. erm… most of the Labour Group, plus a couple of hippies.

Someone should tell Tony Newman that constantly holding these ludicrous public rallies won’t distract from his repeated failure at the ballot box. And why protest in Croydon? They are in the wrong Borough!

cringedweller wrote:
Could the Croydon Guardian do us all a favour by showing on a map where those Councillors in Croydon and Sutton live, approximately, without being too precise, in relation to the siting of the incinerator. Also please show the location of the Royal Marsden Hospital at Sutton for the benefit of those who could need treatment for cancer in the future from dioxins and other toxic chemicals finding their way into the air we breathe.

Generally speaking you'll find the Torys in Croydon that are voting in favour of the Incinerator live in the South of the Borough, and have seats held in the South of the Borough.

The cloud of crap will be carried over the North of the borough.

By bizarre coincidence...

Waddon-Local wrote:
So the ‘public protest’ that we’d heard so much about from that angry little man at Inside Croydon actually turned out to be…. erm… most of the Labour Group, plus a couple of hippies.

Someone should tell Tony Newman that constantly holding these ludicrous public rallies won’t distract from his repeated failure at the ballot box. And why protest in Croydon? They are in the wrong Borough!

The Croydon Torys are in approval on the Incinerator. They've just rolled over, and are refusing to resist. Their excited about the short-term cash savings it will generate.

Which is why it is down to Labour, The Greens, and a few hippy-heroes to try and save the air of ~200,000 North Croydoners Croydon Council are refusing to protect/ defend.

And, yes, there are plans for a Sutton march as well. But let's not forget Cllr Phil Thomas of Croydon, and how he is simply letting Sutton and Viridor get on with it...

And don't get me started on the two-faced-ness of Cllr's Hilley et al. Dear oh dear *shakes head*. The sooner they are sacked the better.

I was there, a real cross section of residents who are concerned about the hijacking of waste policy in the interests of profit and not people.
NO DERANGED HIPPIES THERE, ONLY CARING ONES!!!
Many studies, well researched show that incinerators are a danger. There are more suitable flexible waste management methods. Elements of the council and Viridor are out to con residents. Hairsplitting about the location Croyon/Sutton is an attempt to escape. SLWP covers 4 boroughs
Council has behaved shamefully towards residents, consultation turns out to be a farce, decision already made in SECRET meetings. Shame on you!
Your job is to run things for the benefit of the residents not pander to company profits!

I was at the march and I can tell you I wasn't there because I enjoy going on marches. I was there because in 5 years of asking questions about the planned incinerator I haven't had a straight answer from anyone involved.
It is a fact that the incinerator will produce toxic emissions and hazardous waste. I challenge Cllr Thomas to deny this.
The planned incinerator will result in more traffic. I challenge Cllr Thomas to deny this.
I have written to my local councillors, asked questions at the Town Hall, attended various consultations and not once had my concerns addressed.
Going on the demo was an attempt to exercise my democratic right to protest in the face of being ignored through all other means.
I didn’t see Cllr Thomas at the march so how does he know who was there? Being rude and dismissive about the people who attended the demo does not help to garner support for his plans or make me feel confident he has my best interests at heart.

Who does Councillor Phil Thomas think he is? How dare he make such comments. All the people on that march were caring people trying to look out for their own families. My husband and I are pensioners and have never been hippies! We have children, grandchildren and now a great grandson who live within the target area. We marched because we love our family and we are extremely worried about the effect the constantly increasing pollutants from the everincreasing traffic flow and the hazards that the emissions from the incinerator will have on their health. We love life and certainly would not waste our time scaremongering when we have better things to do. This Phil Thomas should resign. He has no place as a councillor if he hasn't yet realised he is there to look after his council tax payers not belittle them. For goodness sake Croydon & Sutton think again about the incinerator. The majority never asked for it and do not want it. Recycle properly, use waste wisely and you won't ever need an expensive, unhealthy, unpopular, monster of an incinerator set right against the beautiful Beddington Park and surrounding residential areas. We deserve better.

I too am neither a Labour party,green party member it was also the first march i've been on and i'm 47.
I never imagined that I would ever be protesting against such an appalling idea as an incinerator close to a large populous area.
Just had to get that off my chest!

marching against an incinerator wont work. look at the residents of newhaven in east sussex, they even had friends of the earth protesting for them from the top of cranes for days on end. the incinerator went ahead and now sits on an area of outstanding natural beauty, looking like a great big monster with chimneys on the top. the people of sutton and croydon have no hope of a reprieve.

Dear Councilor Thomas, or may I call you Philip. I read your comments about the march against the Croydon Incinerator, and oh Philip it did make me sad.

You said that everyone there was either Labour, Green Party members or people who like to go on marches. But the thing is Philip, when you come out with statements like that without checking the facts, well I am sorry to say, but it just makes you sound like a ninny, and nobody likes that. I was at the march, it was my first march ever, and I do not side with either of the political parties that you mentioned, and there were other people there just like me.

Now Philip, when you say things like that and people know you are wrong, well they just might start to think "Hang on a jolly minute. If Philip was wrong about that, then maybe he is wrong about the whole Incinerator thing as well". and also Philip, your comments did sound a tiny bit condescending, - now that is a big word, perhaps you could look it up in the dictionary after you have finished reading this.

When we arrived at the town hall, we did call for you, but there was no answer. I do not think you were in, In fact there wasn't anybody there at all from the council to talk to us. It was almost as if nobody wanted to tell us all what a jolly super idea the incinerator was, or perhaps you were all at home having a bonfires in your gardens.

Well, Cllr Thomas, you are very well informed aren't you!
I was also on the march as was a friend of mine, and although I 'also' show no allegiance to Any Political party, and this was the First ever Protest march I have taken part in, which kind of catapult's your 'remainder of the people are those who like to go on marches.' theory, whizzing out of the nearest open window, assuming we will be able to open our windows in the future?
I was there because I AM a Very Concerned resident!
I am absolutely appalled at the LACK OF INFORMATION we have had for this proposal in the past Four ish years it's been 'in planning'!
Are the residents of Purley, Selsdon, Coulsdon, New Addington, to name a few on the fringes, are we even AWARE that this is still going on? Because I for one, thought it had been scrapped a few years back!
'I'll' inform you shall I... We are NOT AWARE AT ALL !? Why is that?
Not many people are ! This is throughout the borough! Why is that?
We are not alone though, like the residents in Waddon, and Beddington, many of whom only found out during the week running up to the election, and they will be living and breathing on top of it !!! Why is that?
I'm hugely concerned about the air quality, and Don't try to tell me Wind doesn't change direction! With the ever changing weather patterns we've had in recent years!... Or are you going to start harping on about there being no climate change too?
Do you not feel that the area proposed for the site in Beddington is not polluted enough?
Do you not think that, with the already heavy traffic and nobody seem's to have mentioned there is also Croydon Crematorium running at capacity in Mitcham Road. Less than a mile away! I would like to bring into question the issue of breaching emissions!
Building such a monstrosity would, I don't know... MAYBE OVERLOAD THE ALREADY POLLUTED AIR? Forgive me if I am being a little naive, but I have NO INFORMATION ! Also like the resident's of Newhaven. RAILROADED springs to mind!
Do we NOT have a CHOICE any more?
Do our Live's now mean so little to the Party WE (apparently) elected to speak for US ALL?
I feel USED AND ABUSED, if you were my Husband I would Divorce you on grounds of lack of continuity and Mental Abuse!
You are a despicable person, Grow a pair Councillor Thomas... Then maybe we can get some Adult Answers ! Although I won't hold my breath.
One very Disgusted RESIDENT of no real allegiance as yet (but I'm Very glad I didn't vote for You)

so...anyone that cares about their local enviroment. children, health etc come under people who like to march....... nice and patronising Councillor Thomas. For your information i did the march with my daughter, and jumping in and scaremongering isnt really something im into im just a caring mother that would like my children to grow into adults without the risk of health risks so the council can save a few pennies!!

Ha ha ha, funny how the Tories who are saying that incinerators are wonderful and safe didn't say anything like that when seeking our vote in 2010.

It's brown, it smells and Phil Thomas is full of it.

I would also like to grow to a ripe old age, and not grow 'ripe' in my younger age!

cringedweller wrote:
Could the Croydon Guardian do us all a favour by showing on a map where those Councillors in Croydon and Sutton live, approximately, without being too precise, in relation to the siting of the incinerator. Also please show the location of the Royal Marsden Hospital at Sutton for the benefit of those who could need treatment for cancer in the future from dioxins and other toxic chemicals finding their way into the air we breathe.

Councillor Phil Thomas lives at 17 Redwing Close, Selsdon, Croydon, CR2 8QU, which is about 5 miles south-east of the Beddington incinerator site.

As the prevailing winds in London are from the south-west, chances are he won't have to breathe too much of the smoke he is forcing on the rest of us.

ConradTurner wrote:
Dear Councilor Thomas, or may I call you Philip. I read your comments about the march against the Croydon Incinerator, and oh Philip it did make me sad.

You said that everyone there was either Labour, Green Party members or people who like to go on marches. But the thing is Philip, when you come out with statements like that without checking the facts, well I am sorry to say, but it just makes you sound like a ninny, and nobody likes that. I was at the march, it was my first march ever, and I do not side with either of the political parties that you mentioned, and there were other people there just like me.

Now Philip, when you say things like that and people know you are wrong, well they just might start to think "Hang on a jolly minute. If Philip was wrong about that, then maybe he is wrong about the whole Incinerator thing as well". and also Philip, your comments did sound a tiny bit condescending, - now that is a big word, perhaps you could look it up in the dictionary after you have finished reading this.

When we arrived at the town hall, we did call for you, but there was no answer. I do not think you were in, In fact there wasn't anybody there at all from the council to talk to us. It was almost as if nobody wanted to tell us all what a jolly super idea the incinerator was, or perhaps you were all at home having a bonfires in your gardens.

And why were you expecting them to be there on a Sunday? Why march on a Sunday at all? They don't have to be at work on a Sunday, get it?

ANNE GILES wrote:

ConradTurner wrote:
Dear Councilor Thomas, or may I call you Philip. I read your comments about the march against the Croydon Incinerator, and oh Philip it did make me sad.

You said that everyone there was either Labour, Green Party members or people who like to go on marches. But the thing is Philip, when you come out with statements like that without checking the facts, well I am sorry to say, but it just makes you sound like a ninny, and nobody likes that. I was at the march, it was my first march ever, and I do not side with either of the political parties that you mentioned, and there were other people there just like me.

Now Philip, when you say things like that and people know you are wrong, well they just might start to think "Hang on a jolly minute. If Philip was wrong about that, then maybe he is wrong about the whole Incinerator thing as well". and also Philip, your comments did sound a tiny bit condescending, - now that is a big word, perhaps you could look it up in the dictionary after you have finished reading this.

When we arrived at the town hall, we did call for you, but there was no answer. I do not think you were in, In fact there wasn't anybody there at all from the council to talk to us. It was almost as if nobody wanted to tell us all what a jolly super idea the incinerator was, or perhaps you were all at home having a bonfires in your gardens.

And why were you expecting them to be there on a Sunday? Why march on a Sunday at all? They don't have to be at work on a Sunday, get it?

Odd, because they do not have a problem with Sundays when they are out canvasing for my vote. Oh yes, I get it all right.

This was taken from the Croydon Question time 2011 section of the croydon.gov web site.

"Cllr Mike Fisher - as part of the South West London Waste Partnership we remain committed to effective waste disposal. However, we have stated from the very beginning that we will not allow an incinerator to be built in the borough of Croydon. "


Sounds pretty definite to me, "we will not allow" So why are they talking about it now.

-- “Coun Phil Thomas, cabinet member for environment and highways at Croydon Council and chairman of the SLWP , said: “The organisers of the march must have been disappointed by the turnout, most people were either Labour of Green Party members and the remainder of the people are those who like to go on marches."
He accused campaigners of spreading misinformation about the potential impact of an incinerator.
He said: “All they are interested in is scare-mongering.
“There are 400 plus facilities of this kind across Europe and the UK. Can they find anywhere in the world where they have cause any health problems?”
Well CouncillorThomas, where shall I begin!?
1. http://www.foe.co
.uk/resource/briefin
gs/incineration_heal
th_issues.pdf
2. http://www.greenp
eace.org.uk/Multimed
iaFiles/Live/FullRep
ort/3809.PDF
3. http://www.london
air.org.uk/london/re
ports/PM10_from_wast
e_sites_Mercury_Way.
pdf
4. http://ukwin.org.
uk/2010/01/06/surrey
-moves-away-from-inc
ineration/
5. http://www.countr
ydoctor.co.uk/precis
/precis%20-%20Incine
rator%20deaths%20and
%20morbidity.htm
6. http://www.ecomed
.org.uk/content/Inci
neratorReport_v3.pdf

7. http://www.kenton
line.co.uk/kentonlin
e/newsarchive.aspx?a
rticleid=46264
8. http://writemark.
blogspot.co.uk/2011/
04/major-study-into-
incinerator-impact-o
n.html
9. http://www.no-bur
n.org/why-incinerati
on-is-a-very-bad-ide
a-in-the-twenty-firs
t-century
10. http://www.ideai
reland.org/incinerat
orsandhealth.htm

If you have time, instead of trying to belittle the decent concerned people who you are supposed to represent, perhaps you could read through these well researched scholarly reports. Then you will see…. “where they cause any health problems?”

“4,267 people a year die in London EVERY YEAR from particulate pollution.....205 of them LIVE IN CROYDON.These deaths are avoidable.
During smog alerts 200,000,000 particles per cubic metre GO UNMEASURED, they are the most dangerous nano particles unaffected by the notorious lorry.
London has the highest concentration of lethal gases (noxes and ozone) OF ANY EUROPEAN CAPITAL.Any deaths they cause (and there will be many) are EXTRA!
The Lewisham incinerator business contributes 27% to local pollution levels.
THIS IS NOT SMALL.
BEDDDINGTON ! ?, NORTH CROYDON ! ??”

I am fairly new to this issue but am concerned as I live in central Croydon. I would have joined the march had I been in Croydon on the day and this would have been the first march I have ever joined in my 70 years. I have no particular political affiliations only values such as being against dishonesty, brown paper bags, opaqueness in government, opportunism....
Could somebody let me know whether projects of this kind require impact assessment statements and whether one has been produced for public consumption. Has the massive penalty that Viridor are threatening if the project is abandoned been studied by Council lawyers? How will the toxic gases and particulates affect London's pollution levels which are the worst in the EU I believe and the fines that Brussels is threatening to impose? In the light of recent reports of children in an area of 3 or 4 streets Kent being born with similar unaccountable deformities should not Croydon Council not pay particular attention to the risks of the incinerator in a densely populated area ? Locating in a place like Newhaven might not be aesthetically pleasing but at least it is not putting a large population at risk - or is it that this population consists mainly lowest social quartile and is therefore expendable ?

I'd like to assert that I too am not a member of any political party, nor do I go on a lot of marches. I found Coun Phil Thomas's comments inaccurate, defensive and didn't add anything constructive to this discussion - I agree it does make me question anything else he may say. I live in Waddon and the reason I went on the march is because I am concerned about increased levels of pollution and the health effects; I feel the council is being short-sighted in wanting to adopt this scheme.

I urge the Council to let make more of an effort to let Croydon residents know about it and give them an opportunity to have their voice heard, and most importantly to take their concerns seriously.

Bar two uninformed comments from above (we know, if you don't, who you are!), I've read this collection of marvellous, informed explanations that I wholly agree with. I was on the march (I'm a hippy, actually, Thommo-boyo), and Coun Thomas should have been there to note the presence of members of the Respect Party and Communist Party of GB, you missed that one, laddy. Last year one windbag twerp at a pro-SLWP meeting at Merton Civic Offices was so gung-ho that Veolia (not Viridor) would get the gig, he kept booting us anti-Veolia demonstrators out of the chamber meeting. Any guess who it was? With wind like that, he could fuel an anaerobic generator off his own fetid breath, or clear a Council chamber at least. Btw, lovely Guardian, thanks for the publicity, but I think wreath is spelt without the e at the end, but Coun Thommo-boyo won't be wreathed in smiles at the next Council elections.

ConradTurner wrote:

ANNE GILES wrote:

ConradTurner wrote:
Dear Councilor Thomas, or may I call you Philip. I read your comments about the march against the Croydon Incinerator, and oh Philip it did make me sad.

You said that everyone there was either Labour, Green Party members or people who like to go on marches. But the thing is Philip, when you come out with statements like that without checking the facts, well I am sorry to say, but it just makes you sound like a ninny, and nobody likes that. I was at the march, it was my first march ever, and I do not side with either of the political parties that you mentioned, and there were other people there just like me.

Now Philip, when you say things like that and people know you are wrong, well they just might start to think "Hang on a jolly minute. If Philip was wrong about that, then maybe he is wrong about the whole Incinerator thing as well". and also Philip, your comments did sound a tiny bit condescending, - now that is a big word, perhaps you could look it up in the dictionary after you have finished reading this.

When we arrived at the town hall, we did call for you, but there was no answer. I do not think you were in, In fact there wasn't anybody there at all from the council to talk to us. It was almost as if nobody wanted to tell us all what a jolly super idea the incinerator was, or perhaps you were all at home having a bonfires in your gardens.

And why were you expecting them to be there on a Sunday? Why march on a Sunday at all? They don't have to be at work on a Sunday, get it?

Odd, because they do not have a problem with Sundays when they are out canvasing for my vote. Oh yes, I get it all right.

But there is no reason for them to be at the Town Hall on a normal Sunday. All politicians - Labour as well as Tory - go out canvassing in their "free" time. Get it?

There are people who like going on marches - OK - here there were people who felt strongly about the incinerator. But I know a group of people who are forever going on demonstrations in London and who want to protest about almost everything.

Anne Giles, get off your high horse for goodness sake!
We were advised to march on a Sunday, purely so's the Shop Keepers that are also interested in fighting against this monstrosity, were also able to march.
That is why we Marched on Sunday :o) no other particular reason.
I wasn't surprised at the amount of people with confused faces, I explained on route about why we were marching. It felt Good to inform people!
As I stated before, this was my First march.
Can't wait for the next.

NO TO THE CROYDON/SUTTON INCINERATOR!
Incineration should not be allowed near populated areas!

When will these people realise we are not Pawns !!!

ANNE GILES wrote:
There are people who like going on marches - OK - here there were people who felt strongly about the incinerator. But I know a group of people who are forever going on demonstrations in London and who want to protest about almost everything.

Considering the current Tory regime and what they are up to there is plenty to protest about. Why so confused?

Ah yes, you are a 'Tory for life' voter by your own admission.

Sadly this isn't a football game. Pig-headedness like yours will see people hurt.

K8lovenlite wrote:
Well, Cllr Thomas, you are very well informed aren't you!
I was also on the march as was a friend of mine, and although I 'also' show no allegiance to Any Political party, and this was the First ever Protest march I have taken part in, which kind of catapult's your 'remainder of the people are those who like to go on marches.' theory, whizzing out of the nearest open window, assuming we will be able to open our windows in the future?
I was there because I AM a Very Concerned resident!
I am absolutely appalled at the LACK OF INFORMATION we have had for this proposal in the past Four ish years it's been 'in planning'!
Are the residents of Purley, Selsdon, Coulsdon, New Addington, to name a few on the fringes, are we even AWARE that this is still going on? Because I for one, thought it had been scrapped a few years back!
'I'll' inform you shall I... We are NOT AWARE AT ALL !? Why is that?
Not many people are ! This is throughout the borough! Why is that?
We are not alone though, like the residents in Waddon, and Beddington, many of whom only found out during the week running up to the election, and they will be living and breathing on top of it !!! Why is that?
I'm hugely concerned about the air quality, and Don't try to tell me Wind doesn't change direction! With the ever changing weather patterns we've had in recent years!... Or are you going to start harping on about there being no climate change too?
Do you not feel that the area proposed for the site in Beddington is not polluted enough?
Do you not think that, with the already heavy traffic and nobody seem's to have mentioned there is also Croydon Crematorium running at capacity in Mitcham Road. Less than a mile away! I would like to bring into question the issue of breaching emissions!
Building such a monstrosity would, I don't know... MAYBE OVERLOAD THE ALREADY POLLUTED AIR? Forgive me if I am being a little naive, but I have NO INFORMATION ! Also like the resident's of Newhaven. RAILROADED springs to mind!
Do we NOT have a CHOICE any more?
Do our Live's now mean so little to the Party WE (apparently) elected to speak for US ALL?
I feel USED AND ABUSED, if you were my Husband I would Divorce you on grounds of lack of continuity and Mental Abuse!
You are a despicable person, Grow a pair Councillor Thomas... Then maybe we can get some Adult Answers ! Although I won't hold my breath.
One very Disgusted RESIDENT of no real allegiance as yet (but I'm Very glad I didn't vote for You)

Regarding the reference to Croydon Crematorium at full capacity I wouldn't put it past them to shift some of that work to keep the incinerator fed when it has spare capacity turning the bodies into hot water and claiming it's all very efficient and desirable.

One of the Coalition's current Mantras is that they have to deal with a growing elderly population as people are living longer. Maybe the closure of St. Helier Hospital piece by piece and fouling the air with the incinerator is Spiv Dave's and Glove Puppet Clegg's policy for dealing with it.

I am not a Tory for life voter. I voted twice for Tony Blair, as it happens.

ANNE GILES wrote:
I am not a Tory for life voter. I voted twice for Tony Blair, as it happens.

@Anne: You told me you was, on Andrew Pellings' facebook. And then you blocked me.

I stand corrected then.

I work in the waste industry and as usual, the complete lack of information just astounds me. Incinerators in their purest form do not exist in populated areas. Waste to Energy plants do exist in urban areas and have to comply with strict air pollution regimes, including the 'scrubbing of all exhaust gases', and would be monitored under the Incineration Directive. In Denmark it is usual to find a small waste to energy plant on the edge of an urban area, linked to a resource recovery plant where the segregation of recyclabes will take place, and residual waste is burned to generate electricity.
This electricity is then fed into the grid. The question for all the commentators above, from whatever political persuasion, is what would you prefer, sending the residue to landfill, or a reduction in your energy bills? Landfill is not a cheap option, indeed the Governments' Landfill Tax increases year upon year, putting a strain on the public purse. Our energy security is also an issue, as I'm sure you are all aware by the recent price hikes from energy suppliers. I do not believe that waste to energy is the only solution. There are other technologies available, such as gasification, or shredding for refuse derived fuel that may be more suitable for this location. I just hope that someone sees sense before a politically motivated decision is made.

ChrisWR wrote:
I work in the waste industry and as usual, the complete lack of information just astounds me. Incinerators in their purest form do not exist in populated areas. Waste to Energy plants do exist in urban areas and have to comply with strict air pollution regimes, including the 'scrubbing of all exhaust gases', and would be monitored under the Incineration Directive. In Denmark it is usual to find a small waste to energy plant on the edge of an urban area, linked to a resource recovery plant where the segregation of recyclabes will take place, and residual waste is burned to generate electricity.
This electricity is then fed into the grid. The question for all the commentators above, from whatever political persuasion, is what would you prefer, sending the residue to landfill, or a reduction in your energy bills? Landfill is not a cheap option, indeed the Governments' Landfill Tax increases year upon year, putting a strain on the public purse. Our energy security is also an issue, as I'm sure you are all aware by the recent price hikes from energy suppliers. I do not believe that waste to energy is the only solution. There are other technologies available, such as gasification, or shredding for refuse derived fuel that may be more suitable for this location. I just hope that someone sees sense before a politically motivated decision is made.

I think we'd all prefer Incineration to happen nowhere near population centres. That seems to be the key problem.

This EFW unit is basically an Incinerator with a boiler strapped on the side. So even with the exhaust gasses scrubbed you will still get Incineration products in the air. Those filters are never perfect. Some stuff always gets out into the air.

Air that is already polluted, due to it being an Industrial and Residential area.

Many of us are just not convinced the Beddington area can handle more air pollution.

Some, obviously, want Incineration gone from our shores.

There are five things that especialy concern me about this.
1. The incinerator with its toxic emmisions is planned to be sited in a residential area - scarey
2. The added pollution that will be created by traffic
3. Councillor Thomas's comments, (I wonder if he is allowed to comment on this page in his own defence of what appear to me to be arrogant views - I note that he hasn't so far)
4. It seems that the community, (who by the way Cllr Thomas will be paying for their waste to be dealt with from their taxes, and also pay your wages) have not been kept informed about the current plans and implications of this
5. That Councillor Thomas himself who is responsible for this issue does not seem to be informed about the health implications. Thank you to whoever it was that posted some vital links which will hopefully help him and others consider the facts more fully

Michael Pantlin,
would that really be an option? I don't feel happy about that prospect at all :o(

christhegoth wrote:

ANNE GILES wrote:
I am not a Tory for life voter. I voted twice for Tony Blair, as it happens.

@Anne: You told me you was, on Andrew Pellings' facebook. And then you blocked me.

I stand corrected then.

Thanks Chris! I keep being told that you are a nice person. Didn't mean to mislead on Andrew Pelling's Facebook page. Apologies!