Quarry campaigners win MP backing

OLDHAM MP Phil Woolas took to the stand yesterday in support of Birks Quarry campaigners during the first of a two-day public inquiry.

The MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth spoke during the appeal which had been lodged by quarry owners Opengoal Ltd.

The company, which wants to use the site in Huddersfield Road as a tip, was appealing against a decision taken by the Environment Agency to “unreasonably” refuse the permit application.

The agency had refused on the grounds that it felt mud, water and dirt from vehicles entering and leaving the site would be deposited on the A62 and the company could not comply with conditions to keep the road clean.

Opengoal intend to have wheel-washing facilities and rumble strips to remove dirt from vehicles, as well as controls on drivers, in a bid to keep the road mud-free.

Mr Woolas said: “I do not think you can mitigate that to guarantee the safety of my constituents.”

He said residents already faced significant rainfall, flash-flooding, blocked gulleys and freezing temperatures in winter.

Jonathan Easton, representing Opengoal, said the shortness of the road leading into the quarry site would make it easier for the company to clean and keep clean. However, Mr Woolas said unless residents could be guaranteed no mud would make it on to the A62, it was not worth the risk.

Robert Knox, from the Birks Quarry Action Group, gave a presentation to the inquiry and highlighted issues such as a 10 per cent gradient on the A62, as well as a blind bend and visibility issues for drivers approaching the entrance to the quarry.

Bill Darbyshire, area environment manager at the Environment Agency, said wheel-wash sprays and rumble strips do not remove every trace.

He said the Birks Quarry site was very constrained and he was not aware of any site that did not produce and track mud on to the roads.

He said giving a permit would be a significant risk to human health, adding: “I don’t believe this mud maintenance plan will stop mud getting on to the road.”

The inquiry was due to conclude today.