Cemfuel all-clear report slammed by campaigner
CASTLE Cement and the Environment Agency have been criticised for their handling of the burning of Cemfuel, in a new report which gives the controversial fuel the all-clear.

But today a protest leader branded the report, the result of 18 months study by the North West Area Environment Group, as "waste paper"

The group, composed of representatives of the local community, was established by the Environment Agency to advise on controversial environmental matters.

It wanted to look at the environmental and health effects of cement manufacture in Ribble Valley, including the burning of Cemfuel, a solvent waste product.

The group includes County Coun George Slynn, North West Water boss Bernard Crabtree and East Lancashire Public Health Director Dr Steven Morton.

Representations were heard from Castle Cement, East Lancashire Health Authority, Ribble Valley Council, Friends of the Earth and clean-air campaign groups Airwatch and Residents Against Toxic Substances.

Chairman Colin Burford said residents lacked confidence in Castle Cement, the Environment Agency and East Lancashire Health Authority. The report states there is "no convincing evidence to prove the harmful effects of the use of Cemfuel."

But it criticises Castle Cement and the Environment Agency for their handling of the matter.

It also says all parties concerned have learned "valuable lessons" and the Ribble Valley environment is improving.

The report claims that Castle Cement showed reluctance in ownership of the Cemfuel problem and had been "slow to take corrective action either technically or diplomatically."

And it reiterates the findings of a House of Commons Select Committee that the introduction of the fuel in Clitheroe had been handled clumsily by the then Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution.

The report states: "Since the plant became the focus of local and national concern, all parties have learned valuable lessons.

"The agency has invested a lot of resources into monitoring emissions and consulting local people.

"This has enabled it to gain valuable information for use elsewhere and develop procedures and protocols at other plants.

"There are good indications that environmental conditions in the area surrounding Castle Cement have improved and that the situation is now on the turn,"

The report, to be launched at a press conference tomorrow, makes several recommendations, including improved monitoring of Castle Cement's Clitheroe plant by all parties.

But campaigner Lynda England stormed: "This report is just a load of waffle fit for waste paper and I can't see anything meaningful in it."

"This whole scenario boils down to the lax attitude taken by the former Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution, which jumped the gun and gave Castle Cement permission to burn Cemfuel far too quickly and has been on the back foot ever since."

Campaigners are expected to attend tomorrow's launch at the Foxfields Hotel, Billington, at 1pm.