Protest march in dust row

PLACARDS were waved and dust masks worn by members of Mossley Environmental Action Group during an awareness-raising march around Mossley on Saturday.

Around 50 campaigners — aged from 11 to their late 70s — joined in the protest over fears that dust from a wood recycling plant was causing respiratory problems for resident.

MEAG suspects the problem is being caused by R Plevin and Sons after several residents living near the Cheshire Street plant became ill with similar symptoms — including nose bleeds and migraines.

But the firm strenuously denies this, saying that it monitors dust emissions from the plant and passes the results to the Environmental Agency. It also sprays the working area with a fine mist of water to prevent dust escaping.

The group wants a change in the law, so wood dust would be classed a health risk rather than a nuisance.

The 90-minute march started in Market Street and went around the town. It ended with a 10-minute protest outside the wood-recycling firm.

Trevor Horton, MEAG chairman, said: “This is not a protest about Plevin or shutting it down. It’s about the law with regards to wood recycling. We’re trying to raise awareness among people in Mossley that wood dust is a human carcinogen and that it does cause cancer.

“It was good that people were learning about our campaign — it was a successful day and peaceful march.”