- PROTESTERS against tyre burning at Rugby Cement brought traffic to a
standstill on Friday morning. Over 50 campaigners turned out to march from the
town s Clock Towers shopping centre to the Town Hall, in objection to company
plans to burn alternative fuels, including tyres and plastics. Banners, a
coffin and flower arrangements reading RIP were all carried towards the Town
Hall and paraded in front of Rugby Cement s Crown House, in Evreux Way.
Rugby Advertiser
24 August 2001
- PROTESTERS against tyre burning at Rugby Cement are heading to London next
week to hand over their petition to the Prime Minister.
Rugby Advertiser
30 August 2001
- PROTESTERS against Rugby Cement s controversial plan to burn used tyres as
fuel, took their fight to Downing Street this week.
Rugby Advertiser
06 September 2001
- AN independent body will be appointed to investigate possible health
threats posed by Rugby Cement s controversial tyre and plastics burning
proposal. The decision was taken at a meeting of Rugby Borough Council s
Cabinet in the Town Hall on Monday night. In a bid to preserve fossil fuels
the government has asked firms like Rugby Cement to look at alternative fuels
to power their operations. The company has tabled a proposal to burn tyres,
plastics and paper but the scheme has come in for heavy criticism from
residents who say their health will be compromised.
Rugby Advertiser
13 September 2001
- A HEATED debate erupted when hundreds of people met to discuss Rugby
Cement s proposals for tyre burning trials. Hundreds attended the meeting at
the Indian Centre in Edward Street, Rugby, to voice concerns and learn more
about the controversial trials expected to start next year.
Rugby Advertiser
27 September 2001
- INDEPENDENT consultants have been called in by the council to assess Rugby
Cement s controversial tyre burning trials AEA Technology, an Oxford based
firm, will help the council assess the application, determine health risks,
review scientific papers about the subject and recommend suitable air quality
monitoring.
Rugby Advertiser
22 October 2001
- CAMPAIGNERS against Rugby Cement s plans to burn tyres were dealt a blow
this week after hearing county councillors were being advised to back the
plans.
Rugby Advertiser
15 November 2001
- A DECISION to let the people of Rugby have their say on the proposed tyre
burning trials at Rugby Cement is backed by county councillors. Last week a
report to the county council s regulatory committee advised that the committee
should not object to the burning of tyres, unless sufficient evidence from the
Environment Agency proved it harmful. But the meeting held at Shire Hall on
Thursday morning saw councillors opting to give the people of Rugby a chance
to have their say.
Rugby Advertiser
22 November 2001
- EXTRA research into Rugby Cement s plans to burn tyres is being urged by
independent consultants. A report from an independent consultant commissioned
by Rugby Borough Council is calling for further studies before the tyre
burning scheme at the Lawford Road plant is given the go-ahead.
Rugby Advertiser
10 January 2002
- CONTROVERSIAL plans by Rugby Cement to burn tyres at their Lawford Road
plant has unleashed huge public debate. And anyone with concerns about the
proposed trials will have the opportunity to ask questions or discuss their
fears with individual Environment Agency Officers or as part of a major
council debate. Next Wednesday members of the public can meet Environment
Officers at Rugby's Ken Marriott Sports Centre to ensure that any concerns are
considered.
Rugby Advertiser
07 March 2002
- PROTESTERS packed Rugby Town Hall's public gallery for a question and
answer session on tyre burning at Rugby Cement. More than 80 people staged a
protest on the council steps before last Thursday's meeting, which lasted more
than four hours. Health and environmental concerns are the main fears people
have about the Lawford Road firm's plans to burn chopped rubber as a partial
alternative to fossil fuels. The panel was made up of representatives from
Rugby Cement, the Environment Agency, Warwickshire Health Authority and AEA
Technology, who all endorse plans for the trials.
Rugby Advertiser
29 March 2002
- Controversial tyre-burning trials at Rugby Cement look set to start soon,
it emerged this week. The Environment Agency has suggested it cannot see a
problem with the tyre-burning trials. A letter sent from the agency to the
borough council said that even after considering a detailed report by council
consultants AEA, that Rugby Cement's kilns are likely to get the green light.
The letter said that 'with the information available to us at present we are
minded to allow the trials to proceed although if new evidence is presented
this decision can be reviewed'.
Rugby Advertiser
11 April 2002
- CONTROVERSIAL tyre burning trials have been condemned by the new Rugby
Primary Care Trust. The fresh move came at a heated debate of the full borough
council on Tuesday night when Rugby Cement's proposals were discussed. All
parties supported the PCT's statement. The previous health body always refused
to criticise the trials. Ted Pallot, Chairman of Rugby Primary Care Trust,
said: "Having considered all the available evidence, some of which gives us
cause for concern, we have concluded that we are opposed to the proposed
trial. We think it could put the public's health at risk."
Rugby Advertiser
25 April 2002
- ANGRY Rugby residents flocked to a meeting where they heard civic leaders
criticise Rugby Cement and the Environment Agency. The meeting, held last
Thursday in Lawrence Sheriff School, Clifton Road, Rugby, had been called by
protesters Rugby in Plume to discuss Rugby Cement's controversial tyre burning
proposals. During the evening, members of the Environment Agency denied that a
letter sent to Rugby Borough Council suggested trials should go ahead. Rugby
MP Andy King chaired the meeting and more than 100 people attended.
Rugby Advertiser
25 April 2002
- CAMPAIGN group Rugby in Plume has been damaged by the resignation of four
committee members, the Advertiser has learned. The group was set up more than
a year ago to protest against Rugby Cement's controversial plans to burn tyres
at their Lawford Road plant. Founder member and former chairman Dr. Alan
Thompson, a well-respected engineer in this field, resigned on May 1. His
wife, former secretary Barbara Thompson resigned on the same date alongside
another former chairman Gordon Woods. Former press spokesperson Margaret
Smith, who collected a petition containing 7,000 signatures and took it to 10
Downing Street, made a statement to the Advertiser on Monday. She said: "I
disassociate myself from a small breakaway group with new people on board.
They have been holding secret meetings. "The people of Rugby know who we are
and how hard we have worked over the last 14 months in a non-political way.
"The fight to stop the trials will go on with the full support of Rugby MP
Andy King, Rugby PCT and the borough council." Mrs. Smith says her fight will
go on.
Rugby Advertiser
16 May 2002
- TYRE burning in Rugby could be stopped if an asthma sufferer wins his
court battle against a similar scheme. David Levy, of Chapmanslade, Wiltshire,
has gone to the High Court to fight a decision allowing the nearby Westbury
Plant to burn rubber tyres for fuel.
Rugby Advertiser
06 June 2002
- HEALTH bosses have stepped back into the fray over Rugby Cement's
controversial bid to burn old tyres instead of fossil fuels. They have
enlisted a research team to consult the public in Rugby in a series of
surgeries to hear views on tyre burning. Rugby's Primary Care Trust, which
oversees the town's front-line health provisions, has asked the Health Impact
Research Unit at Birmingham University to assess the Lawford Road firm's
proposal. The Primary Care Trust, which in the past has opposed the tyre
burning bid, has indicated that it will base its decision on whether or not to
continue that opposition on the unit's findings.
Rugby Advertiser
11 July 2002
- A MAN who says his life is blighted by pollution from a cement works
similar to Rugby's, is facing another anxious wait for the outcome of his High
Court case. Asthma sufferer David Levy, who lives in Wiltshire, wants to stop
rubber tyres being used as fuel.
Rugby Advertiser
31 July 2002
- THE Rugby Cement sidelining of a plan to reopen a disused railway line to
the north of Rugby has been condemned by borough councillors. The firm had
proposed to reopen the Rugby to Leamington railway line to transport material
from the quarry in Southam to the cement works, but later dropped the plan
before any formal funding application to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA)
had been made.
Rugby Advertiser
7 August 2002
- A MAJOR gas leak at Rugby Cement caused delays and disruption all over the
West Midlands yesterday (Wednesday). The cement kilns were shut down and all
work stopped as more than 200 people were evacuated from the site at 9.30am
after contractors near a silo at the back of the site apparently cut through
the main gas feed into Rugby. Two fire crews blasted the gas billowing from an
18 inch wide gap in the main with a curtain of water, while emergency Transco
crews worked to stem the leak without cutting the gas off in most of the town.
Access roads around the site were barricaded off causing traffic problems in
the area, while the West Coast mainline was shut down in case a train coming
down the nearby track sparked and caused an explosion. Rugby Cement Press
Officer Kay Pollock said: "Everybody is okay and there are no safety issues
for people in Rugby. I should stress the incident is not a problem with part
of the plant, although it did take place on RMC land." Chief fire officer Dave
Carter warned the leak could be a 'protracted' one. The leak halted
Environment Agency emissions monitoring at the plant after workers were forced
to leave the 300ft tower.
Rugby Advertiser
23 August 2002
- BOSSES at Rugby Cement have been branded arrogant for assuming they will
get permission to start controversial tyre burning trials. New technology
worth £1million has now been installed at the Lawford Road plant while at the
firm's Southam operation tyres have been shredded in preparation for burning.
The firm say the tyres will be used by RMC firm Hales Waste but admit they
could be used as fuel in Rugby kilns if the trials get the green light.
Rugby Advertiser
29 August 2002
- THE prospect of tyre burning in Rugby was a step closer last night, after
a key decision by the Rugby Primary Care Trust (PCT). The PCT held a public
meeting to give its official verdict on plans for Rugby Cement to burn tyres
at its Lawford Road site. Members of the PCT, which consists of health
professionals and lay people, voted 6 in favour with one abstention to
recommend trials for tyre burning begin - but with some conditions.
Rugby Advertiser
29 August 2002
- CIVIC leaders look set to back Rugby Cement's controversial tyre burning
trials. On Monday night, the borough council's Environment Panel said it
believes the trials would be safe if certain conditions were met and have
recommended the plan to the council cabinet. The Environment Agency is now
expected to give the green light to RMC within the next few weeks. Pat Wyatt,
of campaign group Rugby in Plume, said: "It certainly is not an end to the
matter. We just wish there was as many people concerned about the cement
problem as there are the airport."
Rugby Advertiser
06 September 2002
- CONTROVERSY continues to surround Rugby Cement's plans to burn tyres at
their Lawford Road plant. It emerged this week the firm could get the green
light before part of their manufacturing operations are granted planning
permission from Warwickshire County Council.
Rugby Advertiser
10 October 2002
- SPARKS flew at the first meeting of the new Rugby Cement Community Forum,
set up to exchange ideas about controversial tyre burning trials. The meeting
was held at the town hall on Tuesday night and many of the most explosive
aspects of the trials were discussed. Members of the forum include borough
councillors, PCT representatives, bosses from Rugby Cement, Environment Agency
(EA) Officers and local environmentalists. Paul Quinn, soon to be Area
Environmental Planning Manager at the EA, assured Rugby residents the matter
was not yet resolved. He said: "There has been extensive consultation but as
yet no decision has been taken.
Rugby Advertiser
30 October 2002
- A PROTEST group has accused the Environment Agency of a conflict of
interest and questioned their ability to protect the people of Rugby's health.
Rugby in Plume made the statement at a meeting with senior Environment Agency
officers in a conference room at the Three Horseshoes Hotel, Sheep Street,
Rugby. Borough and county councillors also attended the heated debate, held
last Wednesday night. On the agenda was Rugby Cement's controversial
application to burn tyres at their Lawford Road plant.
Rugby Advertiser
06 November 2002
- TOWN hall bosses could spend more than £30,000 monitoring emissions from
Rugby Cement's plant if controversial tyre burning trials go ahead. At a
meeting of Rugby Borough Council's Environment panel on Monday night,
councillors decided to recommend that the cabinet spend the cash to ensure
accurate measuring of pollution.
Rugby Advertiser
21 November 2002
- RUGBY health bosses have been given an ultimatum by the Environment Agency
to decide what their position is on tyre burning. The government agency has
been considering Rugby Cement's application to burn tyres at its Lawford Road
plant for months, and looks set to give its final decision by the end of
December. The Agency wrote to Rugby's Primary Care Trust (PCT) last week
asking members to voice any objections to the plan, giving a deadline of
December 6 for the responses.
Rugby Advertiser
05 December 2002
- TOWN hall bosses were to decide yesterday (Wednesday) whether to spend
more than £30,000 monitoring emissions from Rugby Cement's Lawford Road plant.
At a meeting of Rugby Borough Council's cabinet, civic leaders will consider
telling the Environment Agency that current plans for pollution measurement
are inadequate.
Rugby Advertiser
05 December 2002
- Health bosses are likely to tell the Environment Agency this week that
they are against Rugby Cement carrying out tyre burning trials. Rugby Primary
Care Trust is expected to say that it is still very concerned about the
potential danger of emissions from the Newbold Road plant. The PCT, which has
been asked to make a decision without conditions, may want to insist that
certain stipulations be attached to any trials. The PCT board meets at the
Benn Hall, Rugby, today (Thursday) at 4pm - it is open to the public.
Rugby Advertiser
19 December 2002
- RUGBY health bosses say controversial tyre burning trials can go ahead -
with conditions. At a meeting of the Primary Care Trust on Thursday to discuss
Rugby Cement's application to burn chopped tyres at their Lawford Road plant,
the health body set out robust stipulations. A letter will now be sent to the
Environment Agency (EA) setting out the concerns and a decision is expected in
the new year. Health bosses felt they could not refuse permission for the
trials due to the contents of the Health Impact Assessment, concluded earlier
this year.
Rugby Advertiser
30 December 2002
- SPECIAL investigation has been launched into why residents were showered
with dust from Rugby Cement's plant last Tuesday. Around 7.10pm householders
in Avenue Road, New Bilton, Rugby, watched as a 'cement-like' substance formed
a layer of white dust on top of cars, streets and gardens. The Environment
Agency is investigating.
Rugby Advertiser
21 February 2003
- A CIVIC leader has questioned Rugby Cement's ability to burn tyres safely
after residents were showered with dust from the plant. On Tuesday, February
11, a layer of white dust from the Lawford Road works formed over cars,
gardens and roads in New Bilton. The Environment Agency are currently
investigating the incident.
Rugby Advertiser
26 February 2003
- CALLS have been made for a government inquiry into RMC's application to
burn tyres at its Cement Works in Lawford Road. Cllr. Pat Wyatt also blasted
the Environment Agency as 'incompetent' for its failure to dismiss RMC's
proposal. Speaking in front of the full Rugby Borough Council she said:
"Residents, our MP, the Primary Care Trust and the council are all extremely
concerned about this tyre burning application.
Rugby Advertiser
13 March 2003
- RESIDENTS are stunned at Rugby Cement's plans to reopen a quarry on land
beside Lawford Road. Clay extraction will start at the Lodge Farm site beside
Townsend Lane and Thurnmill Road in Long Lawford in late summer or early
autumn, subject to any archaeological or environmental conditions. The firm
are currently embroiled in controversy over their application to use tyres as
fuel at their Lawford Road plant.
Rugby Advertiser
25 March 2003
- CIVIC leaders feel the Environment Agency has mismanaged Rugby Cement's
application to use shredded tyres as fuel at their Lawford Road plant. The
decision on whether controversial tyre burning trials get the green light may
now rest with the Secretary of State.
Rugby Advertiser
09 April 2003
- HEALTH concerns persuaded Rugby MP Andy King to support growing demands
for a public inquiry into Rugby Cement's controversial tyre burning plans. Mr.
King has written a letter to the Secretary of State for the Environment,
Margaret Beckett, urging her to examine RMC's application.
Rugby Advertiser
17 April 2003
- A WORKER had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming trapped in a
cement machine. The 33 year old, who lives in Leamington, had been cleaning
the inside of a hopper when falling cement trapped his legs.
Rugby Advertiser
17 April 2003
- BOSSES at Rugby Cement have been reprimanded by the Environment Agency
after an incident at the plant in February. Officers at the Environment Agency
have told the firm they must abide by the terms of an enforcement order after
the incident, when white powder from the plant fell like snow over homes in
the New Bilton area of Rugby.
Rugby Advertiser
05 June 2003
- CAMPAIGNERS have pledged the fight to stop Rugby Cement burning tyres at
its Lawford Road plant will continue, despite government refusal to intervene
and help. Environment ministers announced they would not hold a public inquiry
into the firm's proposals to burn tyres as an alternative to fossil fuels,
disappointing protesters who believe the scheme will affect the health of
thousands of people who live near the area.
Rugby Advertiser
31 July 2003
- A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to burn tyres instead of coal at Rugby Cement has
been given the go-ahead, leaving opponents to the plans fuming. After months
of deliberation, the Environment Agency granted Rugby Cement a permit to burn
tyres at its Lawford Road plant yesterday (Wednesday).
Rugby Advertiser
14 August 2003
- LOCAL councillors have joined the calls for a legal fight to reverse the
Environment Agency's decision to green light controversial plans to burn tyres
in Rugby. The decision to allow Rugby Cement to burn shredded tyres instead of
coal in its plant has caused uproar among campaigners fearful of the health
ramifications for people in the surrounding area. Now Liberal Democrat
councillors have written to the council's chief executive, urging the cabinet
to build a case for a judicial review of last week's decision.
Rugby Advertiser
21 August 2003
- THERE is a possibility of overturning a controversial decision to burn
tyres in Rugby - but residents must act now because the clock is ticking,
campaigners have warned.
Rugby Advertiser
28 August 2003
- ATTEMPTS by the Environment Agency to use the people of Rugby as guinea
pigs for tyre burning will be fought at every turn, councillors have warned.
At a hastily called emergency meeting of full council on Monday, councillors
discussed a two-pronged approach to the controversial plans, following the
EA's announcement last month to allow Rugby Cement to burn tyres at its
Lawford Road plant. As well as looking into seeking a judicial review of the
decision - which local residents fear will release toxic chemicals into the
environment, including particulates which have been linked to cancer -
councillors have voted to spend £315,000 on 20 specialist stations to monitor
pollution levels in the town should the trials go ahead. A free council
hotline will be set up for people to report any faults with the plant.
Rugby Advertiser
04 September 2003
- RUGBY Cement's Lawford Road plant has been shut down after a mechanical
failure saw black coal dust rain down on the surrounding area.
Rugby Advertiser
11 September 2003
- CAMPAIGNERS have accused Environment Agency officials of being 'evasive,
defensive and patronising' in meetings with residents concerned about plans to
burn tyres at Rugby Cement's Lawford Road plant.
Rugby Advertiser
11 September 2003
- RUGBY Cement's kiln is back up and running following a series of
breakdowns. Following an incident which saw black coal dust rain down on the
surrounding area, the Environment Agency ordered a shutdown of the kiln in
Lawford Road plant. After investigating the problem and taking steps to
rectify it, Cement bosses started the kiln again in the early hours of
Wednesday - but promptly shut it down again less than 24 hours later when the
safety system kicked in again for the same reason.
Rugby Advertiser
17 September 2003
- At a meeting of the Rugby Primary Care Trust (PCT) on Tuesday night,
members issued a statement expressing 'extreme disappointment' that the
Environment Agency had issued a permit for Rugby Cement to trial the tyre
burning at its Lawford Road plant.
Rugby Advertiser
17 September 2003
- TYRE burning could start as early as December, Rugby Cement bosses have
revealed. Firm dates have yet to be fixed but the company expects the baseline
testing, which collects six weeks' worth of data of emissions from the plant
burning coal, could start by early October. Once the firm has collated the
data - which will be compared to emissions from the plant once tyre burning
starts - the company can start its six month trial. This could start in
December or as late as April 2004, depending on the plant's maintenance and
production programme. The new details of the planned trial were revealed by
plant manager Bob Millard at a Rugby Cement Community Forum meeting.
Rugby Advertiser
unpublished
- CAMPAIGNERS are calling for security cameras to be installed at Rugby
Cement to prove black smoke billows out of the chimneys. Rugby in Plume
lobbyist Lillian Pallikaropoulos claims CCTV will record the smoke and prove
vital evidence for investigations by the Environment Agency.
Rugby Advertiser
unpublished
- FEARS over rising cancer levels have prompted Rugby Mayor Laurie Wright to
call for air quality monitoring in Wolston, Binley Woods and Ryton. He is
worried about the possibility of fallout that could stem from rubbish being
incinerated at the tip in Shortley Road, Coventry.
Rugby Advertiser
04 October 2003
- TYRE burning protesters in Rugby have been given a knock back by borough
council solicitors who are advising against taking court action. An emergency
meeting will take place next week with councillors making their final decision
on whether to hold a judicial review against the Environment Agency's decision
to burn tyres at Rugby Cement.
Rugby Advertiser
09 October 2003
- THE HEALTH of the people of Rugby has been surrendered without a fight by
councillors who chose to back down on a landmark legal battle over tyre
burning because of cash fears. That's the view of a furious Rugby Borough
Councillor after civic leaders voted against pursuing a judicial review of the
controversial Environment Agency decision to allow tyre burning trials at
Rugby Cement.
Rugby Advertiser
16 October 2003
- RUGBY Cement bosses have apologised after a faulty piece of equipment and
windy weather conditions left local residents' cars covered with dust.
Rugby Advertiser
24 October 2003
- RUGBY Cement has unveiled plans to extend its quarry to within 100 yards
of a quiet village, to the shock and consternation of residents. The firm told
local councillors of its scheme which will see its present quarrying at
Southam extended in stages over 50 hectares of farmland to the edge of
Stockton village at a special meeting on Monday night. The firm has promised
to fully consult parish, district and county councillors ahead of submitting
the scheme to Warwickshire County Council next month. Its existing quarry at
Southam will be exhausted within weeks and digging will come to a halt, and
the quarry next to its plant in Rugby, opened last month, will be used for the
next three years. Then the company wants to go back to Southam and gradually
extend from the existing site out towards Stockton village about a mile and a
half away. They believe this will provide enough raw materials for cement
making at Rugby to last 30 years.
Rugby Advertiser
3 November 2003
- AIR MONITORING equipment worth more than £300,000 has been unveiled by
Rugby Borough Council - but health bosses say it won't provide conclusive
proof of the effects of tyre burning.
Rugby Advertiser
20 November 2003
- More pleas for Rugby Cement to re-open railway line. VILLAGERS
fearful that a new Rugby Cement quarry will result in hundreds of lorries
thundering past their homes are meeting managers to urge them to reopen a
railway line instead. Borough and county councillors are meeting Rugby Cement
bosses on January 26 to discuss the £20 million scheme, to transport clay from
Stockton to the firm's Lawford Road plant. They believe one train could
transport as much clay as 80 lorries - meaning less noise and pollution for
villages on the route. At a meeting on Friday, parish and borough councillors
expressed their fears.
Rugby Advertiser
27 January, 2004
- 'Tyres burning tests unfair' - councillor. PLANS for Rugby Cement bosses to start tyre burning trials after repairing
and upgrading the plant have been condemned by a local councillor as 'verging
on the fraudulent'. Plant manager Bob Millard told concerned residents at a
recent meeting of the Rugby Cement Community Forum that tyre burning would
start following the annual shutdown of the plant. He added that maintenance,
upgrade and repair works would be done during the shutdown, which began on
Sunday and lasts until March 7. Mr. Millard said: "We will be undertaking
plant repairs to improve the environmental performance of the plant.
"Following the shutdown the plant will burn coal for two or three weeks to
settle it down, before tyre burning trials start in the last week of March or
the first week in April." Protesters say the 1,000 hours of baseline data
collected about emissions from the plant will be compromised if the plant
alterations and repairs are made, because no fair comparison will be made on
pollution levels before and after tyre burning. Campaigner Lillian
Pallikaropoulos asked the meeting: "Do you think it's fair to do the base line
testing now and then do the tyre testing after maintenance?" But Mr. Millard
dismissed claims that the maintenance would alter the results of the trial.
"The maintenance we're doing is the same as we would always do at the plant.
Every year we're trying to continuously improve. We only get the one slot in
the year and I'm being very open about what we're doing," he said. Speaking
after the meeting Rugby borough councillor Chris Holman (Lib Dem, Caldecott)
said he would be writing to the Environment Agency and Rugby Cement to ask
them to do a new set of baseline monitoring. He told the Advertiser: "In
scientific terms this is verging on the fraudulent. I spent 40 years in
engineering, and I know when you're doing comparative testing it's only a
valid test if the plant is in a similar state for both tests. The only way to
get valid results would be to repeat the baseline test once the repairs have
been done." In a statement to the Advertiser Mr. Millard said the company had
no plans to gather new data. "Rugby Cement is duty bound to continuously
review and improve environmental performance and does so through a number of
means, the planned shutdown providing one such opportunity. These improvements
will benefit on-going environmental performance. "We've been open with the
Forum about our plans and have liaised with the Environment Agency throughout.
It has been agreed with the EA that the improvements to be made do not
invalidate the baseline test." Mr. Millard issued an open invitation for
anyone with concerns about tyre burning to come to the plant to see first hand
what was happening during the trials. Council leaders have pledged to do all
they can to ensure that data collected from the trials will be made publicly
available and readily understandable.
Rugby Advertiser 12 February, 2004
- Pollution shock prompts residents' bid for probe. WORRIED New Bilton
residents are urging health bosses to mount a full investigation after
evidence emerged of high levels of air pollution in the area.
Rugby Advertiser 19 February, 2004
- Tyre burning trials thrown into doubt. IMPENDING tyre burning trials have been thrown into doubt after
Environment Agency head Baroness Young stepped into the fray surrounding
upgrades to the Rugby Cement plant. Baroness Young wrote this week to borough
councillor Chris Holman (Lib Dem, Caldecott) after he raised concerns that
starting tyre burning after repairing and upgrading the plant during its
annual shutdown would skew the comparison of data. She told Cllr. Holman that
the Agency planned to review the performance of the plant before the tyre
burning trial started, and added: "Rugby Cement must demonstrate that the
comparison of baseline and burning tyres is soundly based. "If emissions
change as a result of the shutdown and improvement work, the Agency will
ensure that this is accounted for during its assessment of the trial."
Rugby Advertiser 26 February 2004
- NEW BILTON pollution campaigners have hit back at health bosses after they
dismissed proposals to mount a full health investigation of local residents as
unworkable. Roy Sandison, secretary of the New Bilton Against Tyre Burning (NBATB)
group, called for the investigation into the health of people living around
Avenue Road following the publication of the first batch of data collected by
the council's £300,000 air quality monitoring equipment. Director of Public
Health Dr. Helen King said that Rugby PCT had no plans to do a house to house
survey on health in New Bilton because the results would not be scientifically
robust enough.
Rugby Advertiser 26 February 2004
- Agency puts kybosh on hope for camera. CAMPAIGNERS hoping to get a
CCTV camera installed to catch footage of the plume from Rugby Cement's tower
have had their hopes dashed by the Environment Agency. In a recent report,
council consultants AEA Technology recommended a camera was used to provide
evidence of any black smoke emissions from the Lawford Road plant. Campaigner
Lilian Pallikaropoulos said the report vindicated what Rugby In Plume had been
saying for some time. She added: "We're delighted that the council's
consultants have recommended what we've been urging for nearly two years -
surely someone has got to act now. "The council have paid for the consultants
and should now act on their advice." Head of Housing and Technical Services
Karen Stone said: "There was a series of issues that we were asked to look at
specifically and that's the basis of the report. The council asked for the
report to be written, but setting up a stack camera would be a decision for
the Environment Agency." But the Environment Agency has dismissed the advice
saying current systems in place are adequate to deal with the problem.
Spokesman Oliver Blackburn told the Advertiser: "We require the company to
ensure that their equipment is calibrated properly and we're carrying out our
own independent checks on equipment as well. CCTV will not provide
complimentary data for the already continuous monitoring." * RUGBY'S would-be
MP has met Rugby Cement boss Bob Millard to discuss public fears about tyre
burning. Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Jeremy Wright met
Mr. Millard at the firm's Lawford Road plant last week. Mr. Wright said he
believed a delay to the start of tyre burning should take place: "I want to
make sure that the results of both the base line testing and tyre burning
trials have public confidence. Concerns have to be addressed." Mr. Wright also
supported the lobby urging Mr. Millard to re-open the railway line between
Rugby and Southam.
Rugby Advertiser 18
March 2004
- Judge gives go ahead for tyre burning fight. CAMPAIGNERS have been given the go-ahead to fight the Environment Agency's
controversial decision on tyre burning in the High Court. A judge gave a green
light to the case, which will discuss the EA's decision to allow Rugby Cement
to burn tyres at its Lawford Road plant, this week. He said even though the
driving force behind the opposition was a local pressure group with thousands
of supporters rather than the homeless man David Edwards whose name is on the
papers, the legal challenge should go ahead. Rugby in Plume campaigners
are delighted with the news and say it has come at a time of particular
importance for groups lobbying the government about their plans for burning
alternative fuels. During a hearing at the end of last month, lawyers for both
Rugby Cement and the Environment Agency said Mr. Edwards' challenge was an
'abuse of process' because he was being used as a cost shield so Rugby in
Plume campaigners were protected from a legal costs bill potentially running
into thousands of pounds. But in a written judgement Mr. Justice Keith said it
was difficult to resist that conclusion, but said this shouldn't stop the case
going forward. "Mr. Edwards was entitled to leave it to bodies like the Rugby
Primary Care Trust and Rugby Borough Council to look after the interests of
local people, and to pressure groups like Rugby in Plume to be active in its
opposition to the permit on behalf of local people. "You do not have to be
active in a campaign yourself to have an interest in its outcome. If the
consultation exercise ends with a decision which affects your interests, you
are no less affected by that decision simply because you left it to others to
do so." Rugby in Plume's Lilian Pallikaropoulos said the group were delighted
at the announcement, which vindicated months of campaigning about the EA's
decision. She added: "This is a very timely decision. The Government is
currently revising the hazardous fuels protocol which would allow all kinds of
hazardous waste to be burned without any further trials or public
consultation, so it is fantastic we have got this on the agenda now. This is
becoming an issue of national concern." The full hearing, which is expected to
last three days and involves expert environmental lawyers from Cherie Booth's
Matrix chambers, will be paid for by public funds under the legal aid scheme.
It will be argued on behalf of Mr. Edwards that the EA failed in its duty to
carry out a satisfactory Environmental Impact Assessment and failed to
consider whether burning tyres in the kiln was the best practicable
environmental option for dealing with the waste.
Rugby Advertiser
08 April 2004
- Campaigners' concern at Cement fire. A FIRE at Rugby Cement's Lawford Road plant has renewed campaigners' fears
about the plant's safety. Firefighters were called out to the incident shortly
after 11am on Saturday to a hydraulic lifting system which was alight. Cement
bosses said the fire started when a plate failed on the cooler grate, allowing
a small amount of hot clinker - cement in its unground form - to fall through
which then combusted.
Rugby Advertiser
15 April 2004
- Hopes high for new air quality monitor. NEW BILTON residents worried about high pollution levels look set to have
their fears allayed after councillors voted to arrange for a new air quality
monitor in Avenue Road. Members of the Air Quality Monitors Locations Working
Party voted unanimously to install a specialist TEOM monitor, which can
measure the levels of a variety of different pollutant chemicals found in the
air at the Avenue Road site. Rugby Borough Council will first approach Rugby
Cement to see if the firm will give the the £97,000 for an additional TEOM. In
case the firm doesn't volunteer the money council officers are already looking
at, in consultation with the Environment Agency, moving several of the other
monitors around so pollution in Avenue Road can be checked. Rugby Mayor Cllr.
Laurie Wright said the monitors should be moved as soon as possible in light
of Rugby Cement's impending trials to burn tyres at its Lawford Road plant.
"We've got to get data before the trials start, so we've got a basis for
comparison. We need to know, and it worries me that currently we don't have a
full picture of that part of the borough." Recently published data collected
by the council's £300,000 air quality monitoring equipment showed the Avenue
Road monitor registered the second highest average of airborne particles in
the borough, with only a monitor in Daventry Road, Dunchurch, registering
higher. The New Bilton monitor also had the highest number of exceedances of
the daily pollution limit - six incidents in six weeks. Under current
regulations only 35 exceedances are allowed in a year before the local
authority has to take action to alleviate the problem. Roy Sandison, Secretary
of New Bilton Against Tyre Burning (NBATB) who had been lobbying for the
monitor, said residents were pleased their concerns were finally being
addressed. He added: "This is a real step forward but things are still moving
quite slowly. It's taken three months to get to this stage. We want the
monitor in place as soon as possible. It's a matter of urgency." Councillors
in the working party also discussed problems of vandalism which have blighted
a monitor in Dunchurch and fears that the monitor in Parkfield Road monitor is
partially blocked by a building and therefore doesn't collect accurate
readings. If the move is given the go ahead by EA bosses, then the plan is to
move the Parkfield Road monitor to Avon Valley School during the re-jig of
monitors in the area.
Rugby Advertiser
29 April 2004
- Quarter of workforce facing redundancy. UP TO a quarter of the
workforce of Rugby Cement could be facing the axe in a major reorganisation of
the firm's local operations. The company confirmed that the reorganisation is
likely to lead up to 70 job losses phased over six months at the cement plant
and local quarries. There will be formal consultation with union and employee
representatives over the redundancies. Bob Millard, Rugby plant general
manager, said: "Any loss of jobs is regrettable, and we will follow the due
consultation process in order to minimise the impact on our employees." Rugby
Borough Council Portfolio holder for Borough Development Cllr. Gordon Collett
said he will be meeting informally with Mr. Millard regarding the proposals,
adding: "We're concerned with any job cuts, particularly in the manufacturing
industry. We take it very seriously. Work is tight and Rugby Cement is under
intense pressure with the subsidised cement coming in from abroad. We've got
to do what we can to assist them to ride out the storm." Rugby MP Andy King
also said he was hoping to arrange a meeting with senior management at the
plant to discuss the cuts. He said:"I understand the need for modernisation of
the plant and I know they know what they to do to run their business
effectively. But on the other hand I don't want to see jobs go." The
reorganisation is part of a broader review of the company's cement operations
when a competitiveness gap between the Rugby plant and its competitors formed.
Bob Millard said: "We operate in a very competitive market and to ensure our
long-term viability we need to reorganise the way we work." Currently there
are 230 people employed at Rugby Cement, based at the Lawford Road plant and
local quarries.
Rugby Advertiser
29 April 2004
- Agency under fire over 'safe' report. RUGBY pollution campaigners have hit out at an Environment Agency report
which said emissions at Rugby Cement's Lawford Road plant were at safe levels.
Environment Agency bosses published the results of baseline monitoring of air
quality around the Rugby plant, which they say shows that air quality safety
standards around the town are being maintained.
Rugby Advertiser
14 May 2004
- Tyre trial starts but pressure is on. TYRE BURNING trials are under way - but Rugby Cement has been warned by
the town's MP that its working practices are under a microscope like never
before. Rugby Cement started burning tyres on Thursday, just 24 hours after
the Environment Agency gave the go-ahead amid fears of plant stability. Rugby
MP Andy King said he was very disappointed that the six month trial had begun.
Rugby Advertiser
27 May 2004
- Cement will pay for dust clear up. BOSSES at Rugby Cement have
pledged to pay for the damage caused by last week's dust fall-out that left
Long Lawford covered in white particles. Angry residents woke up on Thursday
morning to a blanket of white powder covering their houses and up to 100 cars.
They later discovered it had been accidentally released from an air duct at
the cement firm in Lawford Road in the middle of the night. But this has led
New Bilton residents to demand why the company, which claims the dust is
'perfectly safe', refused to pay up when they suffered similar fall-outs in
December and February. Roy Sandison, of New Bilton Against Tyre Burning, said:
"They are going to be spitting mad down here when they all find out. "At least
the company are taking liability, but they should set a level of compensation
for everyone within a mile of the plant." But Rugby Cement spokesperson Vicky
Leonard said the company made the exception for Long Lawford residents because
of the unique circumstances last Thursday. She added: "It's a different kind
of dust. Because it was such an isolated incident and an unusual procedure
that caused it, we will be sending round a window cleaner to clean affected
residents' windows for free. "We're very sorry for the inconvenience to our
neighbours. We'd like to reassure people the dust isn't a hazard to people's
health. It's perfectly safe." She also confirmed that the dust was
inadvertently released from an air duct leading into the pre-heater tower at
Rugby plant and the material was made up of chalk and clay, which are the raw
materials used in cement production. However, Cllr. Pat Wyatt (Ind, Lawford
and Kings Newnham) said: "We were told it is not harmful but I don't believe
that. It takes at least six weeks to complete an analysis. How can they
guarantee what comes out of that blow vent?" The Environmental Agency
confirmed they are investigating the matter. Talking about the white dust,
Long Lawford resident Thomas Wilson, of Thurnmill Road, said: "This is the
worst I have ever experienced in my 30 to 40 years I have been here. It has to
be seen to be believed."
Rugby Advertiser
3 June 2004
- Act now plea on pollution. POLLUTION experts have issued a stark
warning that residents could be breathing in high levels of dangerous
chemicals if immediate action isn't taken. Council bosses are preparing to
draw up an action plan to tackle high levels of chemicals believed to cause
breathing problems and cancer after scientists at Faber Maunsell, the company
entrusted with monitoring Rugby's air quality, warned levels in the air around
the town centre could exceed Government-set safe levels. In a report recently
submitted to Government department DEFRA, two areas around Rugby were
highlighted as being of particular danger. In the town centre, high levels of
nitrogen dioxide, usually caused by traffic, have been recorded on the
specialist monitoring equipment. The chemical is associated with breathing
problems and can worsen conditions like hay fever. High levels of
particulates, which experts believe cause cancer, have also been detected by
air monitoring equipment at Avenue Road, near Rugby Cement, although Faber
Maunsell Technical Director James Richer said the dust did not appear to be
coming from the Lawford Road plant. He told the Advertiser: "The dust is
coming from a low level source. We're investigating where it's coming from,
including looking into the dust from the Redrow development. We do believe
it's from one of the industrial activities in the surrounding area, but there
is no evidence yet for me to say 'it's from this or that'. We do know it's not
from traffic or the Cement firm stack." Campaigner Lilian Pallikaropoulos said
she felt the company's diagnosis vindicated her calls for proper air quality
monitoring of pollution levels in Rugby. She said: "We pushed for the monitors
for so long, and these results show it was a worthwhile investment on behalf
of the council. It's important now that prompt action is taken to protect the
health of the people of Rugby." If DEFRA give their backing to the
recommendations, Rugby councillors will discuss exactly how to tackle the
trouble. Mr. Richer said planning was already under way on how to alleviate
the high pollution levels. "The council are doing their utmost to provide the
information and going all out to do whatever they need to sort out this
problem," he said. * CAMPAIGNERS fearful of high pollution
levels in Rugby have renewed calls for a public inquiry amid fears that
controversial Government policy could see a range of hazardous waste burned at
Rugby Cement. The four leaders of the parties on Rugby Borough Council have
written to Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett asking for a public inquiry
into the burning of alternative fuels at Rugby Cement. Under the Draft
Substitute Fuels Protocol, currently being revised by the Government, firms
could burn a range of fuels including animal carcasses, contaminated oil,
hazardous chemicals including metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury,
slurries, controlled drugs, explosives, and CFC gases. Councillors asked Mrs.
Beckett to reconsider Rugby Cement's permit to burn tyres in light of the
proposals, adding: "Unless all the many issues and concerns surrounding the
permit applications are fully considered there will remain wide
dissatisfaction and continuing health fears among local people for many years
to come."
Rugby Advertiser
1 July 2004
- EA halts tyre burning and slams cement firm boss. CONTROVERSIAL
tyre burning trials have been halted by the Environment Agency after cement
bosses continued operations despite a fault with the plant. Environment
Manager Dr. David Hudson ordered the stoppage of the trials, where chipped
tyres are burned in place of ordinary fuel, after an incident during the night
shift on June 21. He also attacked management failures in handling the
problems. As well as stopping the trials the Agency is considering
possible prosecution following the incident, which campaigners say
vindicates their worries about the trials. Dr. Hudson said: "It is likely that
no member of the public will have noticed anything, but the continuous
monitoring equipment shows that the plant ran above the permitted level for
particulate matter for nearly three hours. It is currently understood that
there was a fault with the plant's electrostatic precipitator. "After the
problem arose the plant continued to burn chipped tyres but this is
specifically forbidden by our permit conditions." Dr. Hudson added: "While the
incident itself was probably not of major environmental significance,
management failures are unacceptable. The company needs to gain the trust of
the local community and failures like this do not help to build such trust".
The Agency has served a notice requiring new operating procedures to be
developed and put in place before the trial can restart. But campaigners say
the trials should not be allowed to resume following the shock stoppage.
Rugby's MP Andy King said the fact the firm had continued running the plant
with the unfixed fault was 'appalling, verging on the irresponsible'. He said
the stoppage was proof the long-running lobby against tyre burning had made
real progress, although there was more to do. He added: "It's fantastic news.
I hope they say enough's enough. They should be looking at the stability of
the whole plant. I will be meeting with the Environment Agency as soon as we
can arrange it to raise my concerns further." Campaigner Lilian
Pallikaropoulos echoed Mr. King's statement that burning must not start again
at the Lawford Road firm. She added: "I would ask if they can burn anything
safely. Emissions and particulates have gone up 50 per cent since Rugby Cement
started burning one ton an hour. What will happen to us when they're burning
ten tonnes an hour?" Rugby Cement General Manager Bob Millard confirmed the
problem with the electrostatic precipitator, and said it had been fixed by
on-site engineers within two and a half hours. He defended the firm's actions
following the failure, but said they would be reviewing procedures with the
EA. He added: "Since we started burning tyres in May, emissions monitoring has
already shown that there is no adverse impact on the environment and so we are
naturally disappointed that the Environment Agency has decided to stop the
trial. We will be working with them to understand the reasons for their
decision so that the trial can be got back on track as soon as possible.
"While the one part of the unit wasn't working there was an increase in
emissions and the Environment Agency have stated that this was not of major
environmental significance. This increase would have occurred regardless of
the fuel we were using at the time and was not related to tyres."
Rugby Advertiser
9 July 2004
- Pressure increases to scrap tyre burning. BELEAGUERED cement bosses are facing increasing pressure to permanently
abandon controversial tyre burning trials once and for all following their
latest setback. Rugby MP Andy King met with senior Environment Agency (EA)
officers last week to urge that the trials not be allowed to restart. The
trials were dramatically stopped by the EA earlier this month, after cement
bosses continued burning tyres for three hours, releasing high levels of
emissions into the air around Rugby, in spite of a mechanical failure with
equipment. Mr. King said he was optimistic that the EA would fulfil a promise
they made to a packed public meeting last year. He told the Advertiser: "I
very clearly remember a public meeting at Lawrence Sheriff School, in front of
hundreds of people, where Environment Agency officers said if the trials could
not be done within the prescribed limits they should be stopped. The message
was clear and unambiguous and I'm now doing everything I can to ensure the
Agency adhere to their pledge. "I'm hopeful the EA will stick to its guns and
not restart the trials. You get one chance with something like this. The
company were absolutely sure they could maintain emissions within a safe level
and they failed. That should be the end of it." Meanwhile, the EA is still
considering whether to prosecute the firm over the incident. Officials are
painstakingly investigating the circumstances of the fault and the company's
reaction to it, and are expected to continue doing so for some months.
Environment Agency spokeswoman Lynne Fraley said: "This is as in-depth as a
police investigation would be, so as a matter of course it takes some time."
At a meeting on Monday night, members of Rugby Borough Council's Environment
Panel also stepped into the fray, voting unanimously to demand the firm's tyre
burning licence be revoked until the plant can be proved to be stable enough
to be used as a waste incinerator. The councillors also urged the licence
should not be reissued until new safety measures be put in place to limit
pollutants being emitted from the plant and the Environment Secretary has
ruled on a recent council request for a public enquiry into the scheme. But
Rugby Cement's Dr. David Evans, said the firm fully expected to restart the
trial, with full EA approval, once they had complied with the enforcement
notice. He added: "Since we started burning tyres in May, emissions monitoring
has already shown that there is no adverse impact on the environment and so we
see no reason why the tyre trial should not recommence as soon as possible.
"The incident was for less than three hours and, although emissions increased,
the EA have stated that this was not of major environmental significance. This
increase would have occurred regardless of the fuel we were using at the time
and was not related to tyres." The EA is unlikely to make a decision on
whether the trials can recommence for some weeks, and has served a notice
requiring new operating procedures to be developed and put in place before any
restart.
Rugby Advertiser
22 July 2004
- Tyre trials may return. ENVIRONMENT Agency bosses have begun considering whether controversial
trials to burn tyres at Rugby Cement should be restarted. The trials were
dramatically stopped by the EA in July, after managers of the firm continued
burning tyres for three hours, releasing high levels of emissions into the air
around Rugby, in spite of a mechanical failure with equipment. The company was
asked by the Agency to explain the reasons for the incident on June 21,
identify what action has been taken to stop it happening again, and to show
the incident was not as a result of burning tyres rather than coal as a fuel.
Having received this information, Area Environment Manager Dr. David Hudson
said: "We have begun the process of carefully considering the company's
responses. There is no set timescale for a decision but we will inform all
parties when it is made." He added: "Clearly this incident has worried local
residents. We will not allow the trial to restart unless we are fully
satisfied that the company's responses will mean that the tyre trial will not
impact on the environment or human health." There was confusion after the EA
announcement, because at a public meeting the previous day Dr. Hudson said the
firm had been given more time to fulfil the third part of the enforcement
notice. A spokeswoman for Rugby Cement clarified the situation to the
Advertiser, saying work was continuing on process investigation, which
included analysis of the firm's own data and sampling carried out by third
party suppliers. Following the incident the EA said the emissions were not of
major environmental significance.
Rugby Advertiser
12 August 2004
- Tyre battle up in smoke? A LENGTHY legal fight to stop Rugby Cement
from burning tyres at its Lawford Road plant could be up in smoke - for the
sake of £9,000. The Environment Agency was set to defend their controversial
decision to allow the tyre trials in the High Court. But the Legal Services
Commission has told solicitors that Rugbeians must make a contribution of
£9,000 to the costs of the case, which has so far been fought on legal aid,
because it has wider ramifications for the people of the borough. And they've
warned that unless the money is forthcoming the case can't go ahead. A
newly-launched fundraising campaign has already ignited controversy, with
Council Leader Craig Humphrey saying a request for councillors to put their
money where their mouths are by donating one per cent of their annual
allowances, is tantamount to blackmail. Cllr. Humphrey (Con, Bilton) told the
Advertiser: "This is a way of trying to blackmail councillors into an
intractable position. As a council we've already looked at whether a judicial
review is the right route to take and, on expert legal advice, we
categorically decided it wasn't. So we shouldn't put public funds into a
futile exercise." The first to sign up after campaigner Lilian Pallikaropoulos
made her request were Lib Dem Cllrs. Ron Ravenhall, Neil Sandison and Chris
Holman, Labour Cllr. Terry Deery and Independent Cllr. Pat Wyatt, but not
everyone was so keen. Labour group leader Cllr. Alan Webb (Brownsover South)
said: "Members of my group are passionate about this issue, and I've no
objection to members giving money. But there is a bit of political manoeuvring
going on by making it public in this way." Mr. Webb declined to say whether or
not he would be donating to the fund, adding: "I consider it should be done
privately." But local campaigner Mrs. Pallikaropoulos remained defiant. She
said: "Either the councillors are for the people of the town and their health
and the environment or they're not. We've paid them £250,000 in allowances and
elected them to represent us and all we're asking for is one measly penny back
for every pound we've paid them to help do this on behalf of the people." A
judge gave the green light for a three day hearing, which will involve expert
environmental lawyers from Cherie Booth's Matrix chambers, after a preliminary
hearing in April. The case hinges on lawyers who have accused the EA of
failing in its duty to carry out a satisfactory Environmental Impact
Assessment and failing to consider whether burning tyres in the kiln was the
best practicable environmental option for dealing with the waste. Members of
the public wanting to donate money to the fund can contact Cllr. Pat Wyatt on
(01788) 576789. Donating money would not leave people liable for any costs
should the court case be lost. * Liberal Democrats have
discussed the tyre burning issue at national conference. Cllr. Chris Holman
(Lib Dem, Caldecott) put an amendment to a motion about the use of hazardous
waste in cement kilns, which was accepted and voted through by delegates in
Bournemouth. He said: "I'm very pleased. This is a way of continuing to keep
the issue on the agenda and keep up the pressure."
Rugby Advertiser
23 September 2004
- Take over at Rugby Cement. WORKERS at Rugby Cement are preparing
for another change in bosses after a second sell-off in four years. The firm's
parent company RMC Group cemented a £2.3 billion takeover deal with Mexican
firm Cemex this week. There is no indication yet if any further jobs will go
at the beleaguered plant, which recently saw a series of redundancies to cut
costs in light of a group-wide profits slump. Rugby's MP Andy King urged the
new owners to learn from RMC's mistakes. He said: "Rugby Cement was taken over
by RMC and they haven't shown that they are any more concerned about our
community than Rugby Cement were. They had to be dragged into taking steps to
do that. "So let's see if we can make a new start with the new owners. I look
forward to meeting them as soon as possible to see what their plans are about
the plant, its workers and the environment to ensure they protect the people
of Rugby." But tyre burning campaigner Lilian Pallikaropoulos was less
optimistic about the change. She told the Advertiser: "Those who doubt whether
we should have the judicial review should realise that with this sell-off we
are getting out of the frying pan into the fire. The judicial review is our
last hope. "Cemex has an even worse reputation for environmental degradation
than RMC with a long history of fines, including one for $280,000 this year in
Colorado." David Munro, the RMC Chief Executive, said: "RMC has been building
its recovery on the undoubted strength of its assets and its people. Cemex has
recognised this potential. Becoming part of a powerful new group within the
global heavy building materials industry will offer great scope and
opportunities for our staff." Cemex, the world's third-largest cement
producer, isexpected to achieve cost savings of $200 million a year through
the takeover, mainly by cutting duplicated management structures. RMC shares
rose by almost 40 per cent after the sell-off was announced on Monday.
Rugby Advertiser
30 September2004
- Camera check on emissions. CAMERAS are set to be installed near
Rugby Cement's stacks to collect visual evidence of possible dangerous
emissions from the plant. Residents have expressed concerns that fumes from
the works were not being recorded effectively by the data monitors around the
town. Houses and cars in Long Lawford and New Bilton have been covered in
white powder from the Cement plant in the past few months, and neighbours are
worried official visual evidence is not being recorded. Now the Rugby Borough
Council look set to train the CCTV cameras at Round Gardens on the stacks as a
back-up plan to other data collecting monitors to accumulate evidence for the
Environment Agency. At a recent Environment Panel meeting, councillors voted
to request cabinet members to back the plans, which would only cost an extra
£1,442 to install to the CCTV system already operating near Oliver Street.
"This is a small price to pay for giving us needed evidence," said Cllr. Sid
Cassidy (Lab, Benn). "I know it is only a back-up system but it seems a very
small amount of money to be quibbling over." The Environment Agency has
indicated that the use of cameras to monitor plumes is not standard practice.
And there are concerns that the cameras may only have a limited use,
especially during night time hours, unless infra-red technology is used. Cllr.
Chris Holman (Lib, Caldecott) said: "What is being proposed is not perfect but
it is better than nothing." "If there is an incident during the day and there
is continual plume coming out of the stack, they can see the problem on the
cameras. "Rugby Cement will then find it difficult to deny an incident."
Rugby Advertiser
8 October 2004
- Cash pleas renewed as campaign labelled futile. CAMPAIGNERS
have renewed pleas for donations to help fund a court case fighting tyre
burning trials at Rugby's cement works. But the leader of Rugby Borough
Council has dismissed their efforts as futile. Cllr. Craig Humphrey (Con,
Bilton) said: "Tyre burning campaigner Lilian Pallikaropoulos paints a picture
of the council making decisions without listening to the facts and nothing
could be further from the truth. When the Environment Agency made its decision
on tyre burning the council took the advice of a barrister who is a specialist
in environmental law." The barrister said that 'having carefully considered
all the documents, he saw no basis upon which a court could sensibly be asked
to quash the Environmental Agency's decision as unlawful'. "In the light of
that advice it made no sense to use public money to pursue a legal action
which had little chance of success," said Cllr. Humphrey. "We have not,
however, welcomed the decision to run a tyre burning trial with open arms.
Instead we have used council funds to purchase technical equipment to monitor
the trial and to engage experts on the effects of the trial." He said this way
public money is used to best effect to respond to the trial on an informed
basis. "We would rather do this than waste it on what is likely to be a futile
gesture." Local residents have already pledged more than £1,000 towards
continuing a judicial review into the Environment Agency's controversial
decision after the Advertiser told how the long-running legal fight could be
up in smoke for the sake of £9,000. Although the case is being brought on a
legal aid basis, the Legal Services Commission has asked for the contribution
from the public to help cover the costs of the case as the case has wider
importance for the whole population of the borough. Dozens of people have
pledged money so far, and are running events and fundraisers to raise more.
Now local campaigner Lilian Pallikaropoulos has renewed pleas made by Cllr.
Pat Wyatt (Ind, Church Lawford and Kings Newnham) last week to help keep the
case on track.
Rugby Advertiser
8 October 2004
- Cement: New agency probe. A SERIES of complaints about malfunctions
at Rugby Cement, which apparently caused dust to rain down on parts of
Newbold, are being investigated by the Environment Agency. Several readers
contacted the Rugby Advertiser complaining about dust problems following the
incident shortly after 5am on October 5. The Environment Agency confirmed this
week an investigation into the complaints has started. EA spokeswoman Lynne
Fraley said officers were investigating five complaints from four different
residents. She added: "We've had a number of reports of incidents relating to
the plant and part of the investigation is to establish exactly when they took
place as this isn't immediately clear." She added that officers don't
know how long the investigation will take. "The investigation is similar to a
police investigation in that we take statements and look at the evidence. As
such it might take a while." But Rugby Cement general manager Bob Millard
played down the incidents. He told the Advertiser: "We have experienced a few
minor process interruptions in the last month but high levels of cement
production have been maintained. The interruptions have been due to natural
variations in the raw materials from Lodge Farm quarry which have been quickly
remedied. As appropriate the Environment Agency has been kept informed and we
are operating within our permit conditions."
Rugby Advertiser
21 October 2004
- Council leader under fire over tyres. FURIOUS councillors battling
to continue a legal fight against tyre burning set to hit the High Court next
month have branded Rugby's council leader irresponsible after he dismissed the
efforts as futile. Speaking in the Rugby Advertiser last week Cllr. Craig
Humphrey (Con, Bilton) said fundraising efforts to raise £9,000 towards
continuing a judicial review into the Environment Agency's controversial
decision were a waste of money. His comments have left other councillors and
campaigners fuming. Cllr. Ron Ravenhall (Lib Dem, Dunchurch and Knightlow)
said he found Cllr. Humphrey's comments extraordinary and irresponsible. He
said: "This is the most serious threat to people's health ever faced in Rugby.
The people of our town are living under a toxic time bomb and a terrible price
will be paid in the future if nothing is done about it." He added: "A thousand
pounds has already been donated, and the remaining £8,000 could easily be
raised by public subscription from people who donated over £40,000 to fight
the Rugby airport proposal. Hazardous waste incineration, with a constant
stream of poisonous chemicals and perilous particulates raining down from the
sky, is an even more calamitous environmental hazard than the airport would
have been. May I suggest that all and sundry ignore Cllr. Humphrey and start
taking this threat very seriously by digging deep to safeguard their future in
this town." Cllr. Pat Wyatt (Ind, Lawford and Kings Newnham) added: "The
cement producing problem is very real, it is here with us every day and night,
it is so important to help safeguard our future." Local residents have already
pledged more than £1,000 towards continuing the fight. Although the case is
being brought on a legal aid basis, the Legal Services Commission has asked
for the contribution from the public to help cover the costs of the case as
the case has wider importance for the whole population of the borough. Dozens
of people have pledged money so far, and are running events and fundraisers to
raise more.
Rugby Advertiser
21 October 2004
- Tyre burning fight goes on. FUNDRAISERS are continuing their battle
to keep a legal fight about tyre burning on track, despite some confusion
about the exact amount needed. Residents were told last month that they must
donate up to £9,000 to help cover the legal aid costs of next month's battle
in the High Court against the Environment Agency and their controversial
decision to allow tyre burning at Rugby Cement. But last week, Rugby's MP Andy
King said that, following discussions with the Legal Services Commission
(LSC), the amount had been reduced to £5,000. But in fact the full amount is
£7,500, in two payments of £2,500 and £5,000. The confusion arose because the
solicitors fighting the case on behalf of the people of Rugby had put forward
the £2,500 needed because fundraisers hadn't had time to fully reach the
amount. The further £5,000 will be needed when the case goes to court on
November 15. LSC spokesman Daniel Kellingley said: "Over the last year the LSC
funded advice and assistance for over 1 million people with civil legal
problems. However, the LSC has a limited budget and in order to ensure that
funding is available for the most vulnerable members of our society, it is
sometimes necessary to ask for a contribution towards the cost of a case. "In
this instance, while funding has been granted to Mr. Edwards, a much larger
number of people stand to benefit from the action. Some of these people might
be able to cover the costs of the case collectively if not solely by
themselves. Thus the LSC feels it appropriate in this instance to ask for help
in funding the case." But Mr. King said as far as he was concerned the people
of Rugby should not have to pay any more than £5,000, adding he was going to
go back to LSC to discuss the decision further. "Clearly there's some
confusion and the water's been muddied. As far as I'm concerned the amount
from the people of Rugby is £5,000 and I'm determined I will sort this out."
Rugby Advertiser
28 October 2004
- Dust rains down on New Bilton. DUST and fumes rained down on parts
of New Bilton last week when Rugby Cement restarted its kiln after its annual
shut down. Cars and vans parked outside M.G Seaman's sales depot and auction
house, in Paynes Lane, were covered in white dust last Thursday and now
Environment Agency officials are investigating the leak. Owner Michael Seaman
said: "They said it was a one off but it's not on. "The plant had shut down
and when they restarted it, all this was stuck in the chimney. But if they
know that happens when they start it up, then why don't they do anything about
it? "There is a constant problem with dust and it just depends which way the
wind is blowing. It could be going all over Long Lawford and we are breathing
it in." An investigator from the Environment Agency visited the site on
Tuesday and Rugby Cement is also looking into it. But Mr. Seaman added: "Rugby
Cement, being the size they are, seem to be able to do what they want. But if
I was having a bonfire in my yard then I would have every investigator under
the sun trying to shut me down." However, Bob Millard, general manager of
Rugby Cement, said: "Since the kiln restarted on January 26, continual
production run and all emissions are well within the permit conditions. Also,
Rugby Cement is helping the Environment Agency regarding on-going inquiries
into a local company."
Rugby Advertiser
3 February 2005
- Tyres re-think bid backed. SENIOR councillors have voted to urge the Government to look again at
granting Rugby Cement a permit to burn tyres at its Lawford Road firm. At a
Rugby Borough Council cabinet meeting this week councillors agreed to renew
calls for an inquiry into the controversial trials, which were stopped last
year amid safety concerns. They also voted to ask MP Andy King to arrange a
meeting between a cross party group of councillors, officers and community
representatives and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Margaret
Beckett MP. But the decision caused consternation amid some councillors, as it
came just a week after an official council document which apparently said air
quality in the area around the plant was at safe levels.
Rugby Advertiser 24 February 2005
- True danger was held back. A DAMNING report about the true extent
of the health risks of tyre burning - predicting it could cause pollution
levels five times higher than previously suggested - was withheld from the
people of Rugby. The shocking revelation came during the first day of a
long-awaited judicial review at London's High Court against the controversial
decision by the Environment Agency (EA) to grant Rugby Cement a permit to burn
chipped tyres instead of coal at their Lawford Road plant. Expert
environmental barrister David Wolfe of Cherie Blair's Matrix Chambers finished
setting out his case against the Agency as the Advertiser went to press
yesterday (Wednesday). Central to his argument is a report - the existence of
which only emerged two days before the case began - detailing extensive
computer modelling prepared by scientists at the EA's pollution experts AQMAU
to predict how tyre burning would affect air quality in the town. The report
warned there was lack of 'environmental headroom' meaning it was likely safe
air quality limits would be broken. The report also highlighted a significant
risk around the plant of high levels of the smallest and most easily absorbed
PM10 particles, said to be the most damaging to health. Mr. Wolfe said it was
'much more substantial report, considering a much wider range of modelling and
reaching quite different conclusions' than the report given out to the public
and stakeholders including Rugby councillors and health officials, who by law
had to give opinions on the proposal. He lambasted EA officers for not giving
out complete information and argued that the permit must be quashed because
consultees had been unable to make a full and informed response without the
full modelling about how the particles, some of which have been linked with
cancer, would be dispersed. He added: "The Agency was very unforthcoming and
the information was very undetailed and - we know now - very incomplete." The
original report forecast pollution levels up to five times higher than those
in the final report if the plant was working at constant operation levels. The
difference in figures was because experts' forecast included low level dust
generated by bagging, grinding and other work at the plant - which was taken
out of the report given to consultees, which just looked at emissions from the
main chimney. Mr. Wolfe added that assumptions about the working hours of the
plant further muddied the water, giving false impressions about the full level
of possible health risk meaning some of the information given out by the EA
was 'positively misleading'. He added: "If it were a slightly different
version of the AQMAU report given out then that would not be a problem - but
this is completely different. An 85-page document has been cut down to an
18-page one, dropping much of the technical detail and explanation – that
needs some explaining." The Environment Agency said the missing report had not
been made available previously because it was an internal draft, although Mr.
Wolfe pointed out it was not labelled as such anywhere on the document.
Defending the Environment Agency, David Elvin QC said under guidelines the
report only had to give interested parties enough information to make an
intelligent response to the proposal, adding that according to the law this
was not grounds to quash the decision. Claimant David Edwards, who has got
legal aid to fight the case, campaigners, councillors and representatives of
Rugby Cement and Rugby Borough Council's environmental health department
packed the public gallery. Judge Mr. Justice Lindsey has been given thousands
of pages in the case, which is due to run until Friday. His ruling will be
made later this year. WORKERS at Rugby Cement had to be evacuated from the
plant amid fears of a possible explosion after a hot powder spilled on to
highly flammable cylinders. Fire crews from across the county and an
environmental protection unit were called to the plant in Lawford Road, Rugby,
at 10.30am on Sunday (March 6) after the powder, which is known as hotmeal and
was about 600 degrees Centigrade, spilled on to the oxyacetylene cylinders,
which are believed to have been on the second floor of the plant's main cement
tower. Firefighters remained at the scene throughout the day to ensure the
powder did not ignite and workers were not allowed in until Monday when
officers could ensure the cylinders had cooled to a safe level. Rugby Cement
general manager, Bob Millard explained: "During a routine inspection a cap
became detached from a maintenance point, causing hot raw material to spill
out onto the second floor of the pre-heater tower. The spillage was mainly
contained within the pre-heater tower, but as a precaution, because of the
presence of oxy-acetylene canisters in the area, the fire brigade was called
to the site. No one was injured and our emergency planning systems worked
well. To our knowledge no raw material left the site, but the Environment
Agency has been notified."
Rugby Advertiser
10
March 2005
- Rugby Cement may be forced to close if judge favours protest. RUGBY Cement could be forced to shut down its Lawford Road plant if a High
Court judge rules in favour of anti-tyre burning campaigners. The stakes for
the beleaguered company were raised considerably on the second day of the
judicial review about the Environment Agency's controversial decision to allow
the firm to burn tyres as fuel, which opponents reject on health grounds.
Expert environmental barrister David Wolfe of Cherie Blair's Matrix Chambers,
changed the focus of the case by calling into question the ordinary permit for
the plant during his submissions. This argument, which goes beyond the ongoing
row about the tyre trials, centres on the allegation that Warwickshire County
Council did not fully investigate the environmental repercussions before
granting planning permission for the expanded plant.
Rugby Advertiser 21
March 2005
- A COSTLY campaign to stop tyre burning at Rugby Cement has received the
final blow in the High Court.
Rugby
Observer April 2005
- Air monitors' accuracy row. RUGBY pollution campaigners have slammed air quality monitors around the
town as giving inaccurate and misleading data. Rugby in Plume protester Lilian
Pallikaropoulos said she has evidence which proves the 19 Turnkey monitors and
four TEOM monitors are reading figures 30 per cent lower than they should. And
now she is preparing to fight at the Court of Appeal to stop tyre burning
trials at Rugby Cement restarting.
Rugby Advertiser
09 June 2005
- Boss claims tyre burning has benefits. TYRE-BURNING trials could
start again at Rugby Cement as early as September following six months of
rigorous tests. Bosses say the trials should demonstrate the environmental
benefits when compared with burning coal alone. Bob Millard, External
Relations General Manager, said instead of being hazardous, burning tyres can
help reduce greenhouse gases. He said recycling tyres for energy will also go
a long way in cutting the millions of used tyres that are scrapped every year
in the UK. Mr. Millard said: "Burning tyres does have environmental benefits.
"People think burning tyres will be like throwing tyres on a bonfire - very
smelly with lots of smoke - it's nothing like that. The temperatures in the
kiln reach 1,400 degrees and that kind of heat consumes everything." The
original trials were halted by the Environment Agency last summer after a
breakdown on part of the plant's dust control equipment. Mr. Millard said they
have asked the agency for permission to start again. "We are conscious that
people are concerned about the impact of tyre burning. I can reassure them
that the rigorous emissions limits mean that levels are safe," he said. He
said the move follows months of good performance and a stringent technical
assessment. "After a lot of hard work we've got everything in place, we've got
it right and we're ready to re-start," he said. He said consultation is
important and the data from the trials will be shared with the public. CEMEX,
which took over Rugby Cement in March, is planning to introduce
state-of-the-art bag 'filters' as part of continuous environmental
improvement. Mr. Millard said: "Although we are safe now, the bags help reduce
the particulate emissions by 40 per cent. It's one of the newest facilities of
its kind in the UK." Under the proposal, which is subject to planning
permission, the bag filter would be installed on the kiln. It will contain up
to 6,000 fabric bags, which place a physical barrier between the gases in the
process and atmosphere. They should be up and running by the end of next year.
Anti tyre burning campaigner Lilian Pallikaropoulos, of Hillmorton Road,
Rugby, said: "On top of the tyre-burning they are asking for a fivefold
increase in volatile organic compounds which will increase pollution. "It is
positively evil and I'm incensed." Mr. Millard said a full consultation will
take place to demonstrate the increase is not hazardous to the environment or
people's health..
Rugby Advertiser
30 June 2005
- TYRE-BURNING trials could start again at Rugby Cement as early as
September following six months of rigorous tests.
Rugby Advertiser
30 June 2005
- Tyre burning trials to start again. CONTROVERSIAL tyre burning trials will restart in Rugby this month after
Cemex convinced the Environment Agency their safety features have been
tightened up.
Rugby Advertiser 18
August 2005
- The Court of appeal gave the permission in mid July 2005 for the claimant,
Mr David Edwards, to appeal against the original decision. The case will be
heard in the Court of Appeal in February 2006. They would not give an appeal
unless the judges felt that the case was likely to be overturned. This now
allows more time for further evidence against the EA to be produced. It would
appear from what we heard and saw in the courts that the Agency has been "less
than open and honest" in its presentation to the Courts. The question that has
been asked of the WCC council and councillors is what did they know and what
did they "think" they had given permission for. How did the 300,000 tonnes a
year cement plant become a 2 million tonne a year co-incinerator, with no
restriction on size, capacity, waste types and quantities, emissions and HGVs
in the town centre in a "smoke control area"? WCC even gave them permission to
close the rail access into the plant and to build on it!! No roads except town
centre routes and lanes service the plant. About 800+ HGVs a day. All this
with NO PUBLIC CONSULTATION. No body in Rugby was asked "is this the right
place to put a 2 million tonne++ co-incinerator, with no controls". So how did
they do it? Now they plan to increase the capacity even more with the pipeline
"upgrade". WCC seem to think they have got away with it by calling it a "mere
upgrade" to the works... But SIX times bigger and SIX times more emissions and
HGvs with NO CONTROL. The names of the original councillors will be published
and they will be asked what they gave permission for. Extract from email sent
by Lilian Pallikaropoulos 31 August 2005.
- Rugby Cement bosses defend alarms claim. RUGBY Cement bosses have defended claims that they ignored alarms at the
plant to further the company's progress. Campaigners against the tyre-burning
trials at the Lawford Road plant were shocked to read that chairman of RMC
owners Cemex, Lorenzo Zambrano, told a national newspaper that, 'we chose only
the most important alarms and ignored all the rest', after they stopped
production 229 times last year.
Rugby Advertiser 15
September 2005
- Agency investigates cloud of dust from Rugby Cement tower. A THICK cloud of dust poured from the Cemex tower last week when a safety
device triggered a host of technical problems. The Environment Agency is now
investigating the problem after a fall-out from the stack at the Lawford Road
plant last Thursday. The cloud of dust escaped for about 30 minutes over New
Bilton when a safety device automatically shut off the electricity supply to
the plant's dust abatement equipment.
Rugby Advertiser
22
September 2005
- WITH Rugby Cement putting out over a tonne of particulates just from the
main stack some days, I am unconvinced by the council’s findings. They now
tell us that the dust is merely ‘nuisance dust’ and is too large to monitor,
to large to inhale and there is too little quantity to cause burns. Great. A
massive monitoring exercise lasting from 2003 has just been undertaken, funded
by the people of Rugby, and what conclusions can be drawn? At the 11th hour we
were told that the Avenue Road monitor had been over-reading by a ‘significant
amount’ which is very convenient for Rugby Cement, but not very convincing for
residents. Out of the 19 Turnkey instruments only this crucial one in New
Bilton ‘malfunctioned’, but somewhat surprisingly the consultants did not
change the monitor, nor locate another similar one next to it, but just waited
till February 2005 to discredit the readings. Exactly where in the legislation
does it say where the 24 hour period begins or ends for air quality purposes -
you can pick any 24 hour period, not any date on the calendar. If the
directives had been worded ‘in any day’ then it could be related to a certain
day on the calendar, but since air quality objectives are in ‘24 hour period’
then it means just that. With the failure of the monitoring exercise the four
day High Court Case (March 8-12) brought by David Edwards against the EA, and
involving RMC, Defra, The Treasury, and WCC, appears to be the last hope for
Rugby people to gain environmental justice. Lilian Pallikaropoulos Hillmorton
Road Rugby. Letter in Rugby Advertiser 20 October 2005
- 'I'm impressed' says MP at cement plant. RUGBY MP Jeremy Wright took a
journey forward in time to find out what the future could hold for Rugby
Cement and the controversial tyre-burning issue. After court hearings and much
concern from local residents about the health implications, the Tory MP
visited a cement plant in Staffordshire that has been burning tyres for ten
years as a substitute for coal, like Cemex is currently doing on a trial basis
at Rugby's plant in Lawford Road. And he said so far he has been impressed
with the results he has found after an extensive tour, although he will
continue to talk to local residents to see if there any concerns at the nearby
town of Cauldon.
Rugby Advertiser 15 December 2005
- A HUGE £100million incinerator could be built near Rugby to solve the
county's waste problems. The news has angered local environmental campaigners,
who believe the 'deadly white elephant' would burn 230 tonnes of rubbish a
year and would increase pollution.
Rugby Advertiser 19 January 2006
- BOSSES at Rugby Cement are confident tyre-burning will start again very
soon on a permanent basis. The plant has just completed its trials into the
controversial method, which protesters claim causes dangerous emissions to be
pumped out over the town.
Rugby Advertiser
2 February 2006
- Cement plant could be forced to close. A £200 million cement works in Rugby could be forced to close down - at
least temporarily - if environmental campaigners succeed in an Appeal Court
test case. Residents are challenging the Environment Agency's August 2003
decision to grant a Pollution Prevention and Control Certificate enabling the
Lawford Road plant to operate. If the objectors win their case and Appeal
Court judges 'quash' the certificate, the plant's owners, Rugby Ltd, say that
could mean closing the factory - which cost £200 million to build - at least
until a fresh application for a certificate can be made. Even if total closure
could be avoided, the factory would face having to cease using shredded tyres
as fuel for its furnaces until the required authorisation was in place, said
the company's counsel, Mr. Nigel Pleming QC.
Rugby Advertiser 9
February 2006
- COUNCIL officers have defended plans for a possible £100million
incinerator near Rugby, claiming any future move will be in the best interests
of the public. Environmental compaigners have voiced their anger after
learning about the proposal three weeks ago before a public meeting to discuss
Warwickshire's waste crisis, claiming the 'deadly white elephant' would
increase pollution by burning 230 tonnes of rubbish a year. But county council
officials said the move is still only a suggestion, and if it did go ahead, it
would turn waste into electricity for the whole of the county. They also said
that any proposal would have to be fully scrutinised by the Evironment Agency
and no specific location in Warwickshire has been earmarked for the giant
incinerator.
Rugby Advertiser 9
February 2006
- Consultations branded just a sham. Regarding the seemingly
endless stream of public consultations , of which I have participated in many
in my nine years in Rugby, they are mere instruments of the state machinery,
just a mockery, wasting public time and money in a mickey-taking pretence of
being a "listening government". Has anyone ever seen any change or
influence on any decision brought about through public consultation? Our
very own councillors and officers have a huge experience of manipulation, and
conveniently they now claim "collective amnesia" as they hide the very
documents of consultation, and deny all knowledge, even when faced with
letters and reports they themselves have written. Colluding together
with the Environment Agency and Warwickshire County Council this is how they
managed to build the cement plant in Rugby with no lawful planning permission,
no lawful IPC operating permit, and finally no lawful IPPC permit to turn it
into a co-incinerator. It is no secret that Christopher Hampson CBE,
Chair of the RMC Executive Board, was also simultaneously vice-chair of the
Environment Agency. Perhaps he should have declared a slight interest?
And how many others involved have also benefited in some way? Letter
from Lilian Pallikarapoulos in Rugby Advertiser 6 April 2006.
- Cement dust shower prompts action call. A COUNCILLOR has called for
action after dozens of Long Lawford homes were showered with dust due to
another accidental release from the Rugby Cement works. Large areas of the
village were believed to have been affected by the emission from the Lawford
Road factory, which occurred at about 5.30am on Saturday. Cllr. Pat Wyatt
(Ind, Lawford and Kings Newnham) said she spent hours talking to concerned
residents on Saturday morning after hearing about the fall-out - and wants a
crackdown on the company. Cllr. Wyatt, a long-time opponent of the works,
said: "How many times are we going to be showered like this? "It's the same
every time, but what is an apology?" The fall-out, which is believed to have
lasted up to 15 minutes, was thought to have been caused by a fault with a
clinker cooler at the Lawford Road works. The clinker cools down material
which has gone through the factory's kilns, before it is turned into cement.
The kiln was immediately shut down and the fault reported to the Environment
Agency. A spokesman for the Agency confirmed the incident and said that as the
emission was made up of sand and clay, it does not count as a 'harmful
emission.' He said: "From our point of view, we are investigating the cause of
this problem and we will be taking appropriate action if it is proved there
has been a breach of permit." There have been reported cases in the past of
emissions in the past from the factory, which is owned by Cemex. Cllr. Wyatt
said she had received complaints from residents across the village and
demanded the Agency take stricter action against the factory. She said: "It
really depends just which way the wind is blowing as to how many people are
affected by these emissions. "I want more stringent measures applied to the
works and more meaningful restrictions to be put on Cemex and the plant. "I'm
going to keep on and on about this." Cemex spokesperson Marit Meyer-Bell said:
"We can confirm there was a dust release from the clinker cooler. "The
incident has been reported to the Environment Agency and is being
investigated. "We regret the nuisance this will have caused for some of our
neighbours and we are working with them to resolve any issues they may have."
Rugby Advertiser
20 April 2006
- Cement facing prosecution. THE owners of Rugby Cement are set to face prosecution over an incident
which left dozens of cars and houses showered in grit and dust. The
Environment Agency announced it will prosecute plant owners Cemex for the leak
on October 14. The company has been charged with two offences under the
Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 Act in
connection with the leak, which affected areas of Long Lawford and Bilton.
Cllr. Pat Wyatt (Ind, Lawford and Kings Newnham), a long-time opponent of the
factory, welcomed the decision. She said: "Obviously, I'm pleased that the
Environment Agency have taken this measure. "Since this fall-out, there has
been other incidents, so this is just nibbling at the edge and it won't help
us in the long-term. It doesn't give me a lot of confidence or good feeling
for the future - where will this end?" News of the prosecution, which was
announced at a meeting of the Rugby Cement Forum on Monday evening, comes just
days after another accidental leakage from the Lawford Road plant - the fourth
in seven months.
Rugby Advertiser
27 April 2006
- WORKER DIES IN TRAGIC ACCIDENT. AN INVESTIGATION has been
launched after a man working at the Rugby Cement Works was killed in a tragic
accident. A 34-year-old man, believed to be a contractor at the Lawford Road
plant, was killed in the incident, which took place at about 9.30am on
Tuesday. The man, from Sheffield, was believed to have been working on the
kiln feed hopper machine on the fifth floor of the plant's tower when the
accident occurred. A second man - a 27 year old man also from Sheffield -
suffered back injuries in the same incident and was taken to the Walsgrave
Hospital for treatment, although his injuries are believed to be minor. Ian
Southcott, UK Community Affairs Manager with plant owners CEMEX, said:
"Everyone at the plant is devastated and it's a very sad and difficult time
for everyone here. "This was an unfortunate incident and obviously our
thoughts go out to the families of those involved in this accident. "The
investigation is ongoing and we await for it to be concluded." A spokesperson
for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which investigates industrial
accidents, confirmed they were notified of the accident shortly after it
occurred and sent an inspector to the site on Tuesday afternoon. Another
specialist from the HSE was attending the site as the Advertiser went to press
and investigations were continuing into the cause of the accident, which is
believed to have involved lifting equipment. A third man also needed treatment
for shock after the accident, which is the latest in a series of blows to hit
the plant. Last month Cemex was charged with two offences under the Pollution
Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 Act, after a dust
emission in October left dozens of cars and houses in Long Lawford and Bilton
showered in grit and dust. The owners are due to face prosecution by the
Environment Agency over the leak, which was the fourth reported emission from
the plant in seven months. The company also attracted criticism earlier this
year after carrying out trials into tyre-burning, which it says reduces
emissions and provides them with an alternative source of fuel. And earlier
this year the plant was also featured on a Channel 4 Programme highlighting
the biggest eyesores in the UK.
Rugby Advertiser
26 May 2006
- New fuel plans at Rugby Cement? PLANS to launch a new an
alternative fuel system at Rugby Cement Works have been greeted with dismay by
plant opponents. Factory owners Cemex outlined plans to apply to the
Environment Agency for permission to trial Climafuel at the Lawford Road plant
at a meeting of councillors and interested parties last Friday (June 2). The
company says the fuel, which will fuel its cement kiln and consists of
household waste such as cardboard, textiles and plastics, will produce a
'solid, clean and non-hazardous fuel' will help them reduce emissions and
waste. However, Lilian Pallikaropoulos, of campaign group Rugby in Plume,
dismissed the meeting as a 'propaganda exercise' and accused Cemex of trying
to bring in the plans secretly. She said: "I was shocked to hear this - they
didn't give us any indication of what they are burning or any time to prepare
questions." "I have lots of concerns about this which they won't answer."
Under the system, waste materials will be subjected to a drying and composting
process to remove bio-degradable matter, with all recoverable materials
removed for recycling purposes. Ian Southcott, UK Community Affairs Managers
with Cemex, said a consultation scheme would be held before any possible
trials began. He said: "The whole purpose of consultation is to provide
information and to address concerns. "People will not be ignored and it will
be up to the regulators to see if we are permitted to use these materials on a
wider basis." The company is also seeking permission for an extra trial of
using tyres with petcoke, following previous trials of the system earlier this
year. A copy of the application is available at
www.cemex.co.uk and anyone wishing to
submit comments on the scheme should do by August 31. A three-month
consultation scheme will take place and Cemex plans to apply to the EA
requesting permission for a trial in September. An exhibition outlining the
plans is also being held at Rugby Library until Saturday.
Rugby Advertiser
5 June 2006
- Meeting was not a secret, says Cemex. OWNERS of Rugby Cement Works
have hit back over claims they held a secret meeting to discuss new
fuel-burning proposals. Cemex outlined plans to trial the new Climafuel system
at a meeting on June 2 - and as reported in last week's Advertiser, one of the
reporters attended the meeting. Lilian Pallikaropoulos, of campaign group
Rugby in Plume, claimed the event, which was also attended by councillors and
interested parties, was a 'propaganda exercise' and hadn't been advertised
correctly. However, Ian Southcott, UK Community Affairs Manager with Cemex,
said: "Any accusations of secrecy are just irrelevant. "It was that so secret
a reporter from the Rugby Advertiser were there. "It wasn't a public meeting -
it was a meeting of key stakeholders so it didn't need to be advertised as we
had informed them." The system, which will fuel the cement kiln at the Lawford
Road plant, will consist of household waste such as cardboard, textiles and
plastics. Cemex says the system will produce a 'solid, clean and non-hazardous
fuel' will help them reduce emissions and waste from the plant. Mrs.
Pallikaropoulos also claimed Cemex hadn't given opponents of the scheme full
details of the plans or the meetings - a claim denied by Mr. Southcott. He
said: "The meeting was designed to be a briefing for key stakeholders,
interested parties and councillors. "We invited them out of courtesy and so
they could advise their constituents and people they represent. "The intention
was always to be as transparent and helpful as possible." The company held an
exhibition at Rugby Library last week publicising the plans and has also
launched a consultation scheme into the proposals. A copy of the application
is available at www.cemex.co.uk and anyone wishing to submit comments on the
scheme should do by August 31. Cemex then plans to apply to the Environment
Agency for permission to trial the fuel in September. Meanwhile, a report
outlining the results of tyre-burning trials at the factory was due to be
published tomorrow (Friday).
Rugby Advertiser
15 June 2006
- Tyre trials are voted a success. OWNERS of the Rugby Cement works
have hailed tyre-burning trials a success - but a campaigner has dismissed
their claims as 'unconvincing'. Cemex has released test results from a trial
using chipped tyres to fuel the Lawford Road plant. The 1,000 hour trial,
which took place from October-December last year, was set up to examine the
possibility of using the fuel as part-replacement for coal. The company has
described the trial results - detailed in a new report - as 'positive' and
'successful'. However, Lilian Pallikaropoulos, of campaign group Rugby in
Plume, said: "They manage the monitoring equipment so how can we assess these
findings? "It's like if you had your own own personal speedometer in your car,
you would never get a speeding ticket. "How can we trust this report?" The
trial report evaluates the company's performance against each of the seven
critical success factors identified in the work's permit. Cemex says data from
the trials shows ' a marked reduction in certain emissions' from the plant's
chimney. In particular, release of nitrogen oxides, which affects air quality,
were decreased by 30 per cent in the trials. The results come weeks after the
company announced plans to apply for the Environment Agency to trial another
alternative fuel. Climafuel - a mixture of materials including household
refuse, cardboard, wood, carpet and textiles - would power one of the
company's kilns. Cemex says the scheme - which was outlined at a meeting
earlier at the Town Hall earlier this month - could help minimise illegal
dumping, reduce landfilling and have other environmental benefits. However,
Mrs. Pallikaropoulos said a special Tyre Burning Review group was being set up
to fully evaluate the trials. She said: "We are certainly not convinced by the
data they've presented. "We want the same opportunity to present our case as
Cemex had in the Town Hall." The Rugby Cement Community Forum has also
arranged a meeting at the Town Hall on July 19 at 5.30pm for further
discussion of the trials. The report is available at www.cemex.co.uk and
interested parties are asked to submit comments by September 30. A final copy
of the report will then be presented to plant regulators the Environment
Agency, requesting permission to use tyres permanently.
Rugby Advertiser
22 June 2006
- 'Halt these fuel trials' says MP. RUGBY MP Jeremy Wright has called
for a halt to plans for alternative fuel burning at the Rugby Cement works.
Plant owners Cemex recently announced plans to trial new processes at the
Lawford Road site as an alternative to tyre-burning. The company says a
planned new system - Climafuel, which involves burning household waste and
domestic products - will produce a 'clean and non-hazardous' fuel and have
other environmental benefits. Cemex recently released results of tyre-burning
trials from last year, which were hailed as 'positive' and 'successful'.
However, Mr. Wright said: "I certainly don't think we should be considering
any other alternative fuels at the plant until the implications of the
tyre-burning have been fully digested. "I want to understand fully what
tyre-burning at Cemex means to us before deciding whether to support it." The
company - which hopes to begin trials in September - is inviting comments on
the scheme at www.cemex.co.uk. Mr. Wright is due to chair a specially-arranged
forum on the plant's fuel burning methods at the Benn Hall in Newbold Road
next Thursday (July 27).
Rugby Advertiser
19 July 2006
- Have your say at 'Question Time' debate. WEDNESDAY, JULY 26:
RUGBEIANS have their chance to put forward their views on the Rugby Cement
works. As reported in the Advertiser last week, Rugby Borough Council has
arranged a public meeting tomorrow night (Thursday, July 27) to discuss the
use of alternative fuels at the Lawford Road plant. The meeting, which takes
place at the Benn Hall in Newbold Road, Rugby from 7-9pm, will feature
panellists from interested parties. Plant owners Cemex, the Environment Agency
and campaign group Rugby in Plume will be among those attending the meeting,
chaired by Rugby MP Jeremy Wright. Cemex recently announced plans to trial
Climafuel - an alternative fuel burning system involving domestic waste - at
the plant.
Rugby Advertiser
26 July 2006
- Rugby Cement warned over fuel burning scheme. OWNERS of the Rugby
Cement works have been warned they must prove a proposed fuel burning scheme
is not not 'harmful' to the town. About 100 residents and councillors attended
a meeting at the Benn Hall last Thursday (July 27) to discuss Cemex's plans
for fuel burning at the Lawford Road plant. The meeting - organised by Rugby
Borough Council and chaired by Rugby MP Jeremy Wright - focused on tyre
burning trials at the plant and the use of a new alternative fuel burning
system. Cemex claims Climafuel - a mixture of paper, plastics, wood and carpet
- will have environmental benefits. However, Ian Withers, from the Environment
Agency, told the meeting: "Cemex will have to show us that the use of
Climafuel will not cause harm to the local environment. "Once the trial is
completed, they will need to show again there is no detriment. "Only then, if
we are satisfied these issues are covered, will we be able to conclude that
the use of Climafuel should be considered." The meeting featured a panel of
interested parties, including Cemex's sustainability director David Evans,
Lilian Pallikaropoulos from cam
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