Local CEO condemns Carnbroe incinerator plans, 9 August 2011

One of the directors of Scotland’s largest independent courier company has accused the government of allowing targets to take precedence over a North Lanarkshire community. 

Jerry Stewart, Cairnhill resident and director of Eagle Couriers, is strongly opposed to the proposed plans by Shore Energy to create an energy-from-waste plant at Carnbroe, due to the severe health effects it will have on local residents and users of the A8 route. 

He believes the Scottish Government is sacrificing the health and well being of local residents in favour of its Zero Waste Plan targets. And fears that the new incinerator will be counterproductive to the various measures that local businesses like Eagle Couriers have put in place to reduce their carbon footprint at a local level. 

He said: “It seems the Scottish Government has overlooked the residents in Carnbroe and surrounding areas who will bear the full brunt of the effects of installing this facility. 

“The sacrifice that is needed to further the Zero Waste effort will affect the residents of Carnbroe and frequent users of the A8 for apparently, the greater good of Scotland. 

“The facility itself is described by Shore Energy in language that emphasises the potential to create renewable energies and environmentally aware focal points. There is no mention of incineration or combustion or the amount of questionable emissions the plant might release into the atmosphere. 

“We need to take a stronger stand against these plans and ensure a local communities efforts to reduce its carbon footprint are not wasted by this facility.” 

Last month, Shore Energy was granted planning permission for a materials recovery and renewable energy facility at Carnbroe, Coatbridge, in line with the Scottish Government’s Zero Waste Plan, which aims to have five per cent of remaining waste to end up in landfill by 2025. 

A number of local residents have protested against the plant being built close to Coatbridge and residents’ issues range from a lack of clarity in energy emissions from the facility. In addition, planning permission was originally rejected for the plant in March 2010, before the Zero Waste Plan was launched. 

Jerry added: “There is little argument against renewable energies and waste disposal solutions as we cannot continue to dispose waste collectively in landfill sites and not consciously recycling and contributing to European Directives. 

“However, a clear issue has been demonstrated with the Carnbroe facility planning permission, as the Scottish Parliament has shown no interest in the local community and arguments against the development even though the local council rejected plans, only to be over ruled by government. 

“The key moving forward is increased transparency throughout the whole process for fewer complaints and areas of contention between protective communities and the energy-conserving national agenda.” 

For further information on Eagle Couriers visit the company’s website at www.eaglecouriers.co.uk or call a member of the team on 0845 123 1230. 

ENDS 

Issued on behalf of Eagle Couriers by the Holyrood Partnership. For more media information contact 0131 561 2244 or email info@holyroodpr.co.uk