MP pledges support to tip campaign

WARRINGTON South MP David Mowat has pledged his support to campaigners opposing plans to extend the life of the giant Arpley landfill site.
But he has warned residents that they face a “tough fight.”
Mr Mowat said the campaign was not a ‘not in my backyard’ approach to landfill.
Residents of the Sankey Bridges area had been forced to put up with heavy lorries and all the other associated nuisances caused by the tip for nearly a quarter of a century.
“It’s time they had some relief,” he said.
Mr Mowat (pictured) said he would not support any attempt to extend the tip licence without major changes to the way in which the site operated.
He said: “Before being elected, I worked closely with local residents on issues to do with the landfill site and I am very pleased to be able to renew some of those associations.
“Be under no illusions that this will be a tough battle. But the fact that we now have residents, borough councillors and parish councillors, of all parties and of none, all pulling together to do their bit means that Waste Recycling Group now have a serious fight on their hands.”
WRG want to carry on tipping at the site for another 12 years.
Meanwhile, a packed meeting of Sankey Bridges residents and local councillors has voted unanimously to oppose the tip extension plan “tooth and nail.”
Coun Bob Timmis called for an end to Warrington being regarded as “the dustbin of the North West.”
He said: “Local residents have been dumped on for far too long.”
Great Sankey Parish Council chairman Jim Regan added: “We want this site closing for good once the current period ends in 2013. “
Coun Alan Litton, who chaired the meeting said: “Battle-lines have been drawn, and we will fight to win.”