Representation by Paula Ireland
- Date submitted
- 13 October 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Wisbech Incinerator. I am a local resident of 20 years who can see the A47 from home. I'm concerned about the location. Why Wisbech? It is a small farming town and such a structure will comically dominate the town and surrounding area for miles. Road routes are already inadequate and often carry above capacity traffic resulting in stationary traffic. The transportation from around the country of 362 two way lorry movements per day offset any 'green' credentials. Wisbech is not suitable and MVV have given no reason for it's new choice of location. The EU are cutting funding to energy from waste incinerators and want them closed, as the UK is no longer in the EU they are free to apply to build, is this a reason MVV have chosen to build in the UK with waste to be eventually imported and Wisbech conveniently positioned? I'm concerned with the impact on A47 and local traffic especially the B198. The A47 is often 'standing' traffic due to being the main holiday route to Norfolk and for commercial traffic. When blocked (daily during March-September) local roads such as the B198 are heavily used including local villages. During such times air quality is poor. Tailbacks from A47 Wisbech can extend approx 11 miles or more especially during late spring, summer and averaging 9 miles at other times. The extra 362 daily two way movements of lorries as laid out by MVV will further impact the A47 and local traffic extensively including air quality. In short, the A47 and local routes are not capable for carrying the extra traffic. The city of Peterborough (approx. 20 miles from Wisbech) is also concerned regards the extra A47 traffic. I'm also concerned with air quality which include increased road traffic emissions, CO2 emissions and fine particulates from the incinerator. Other European countries are closing down such large incinerators due to CO2 etc. and CO2 cannot be captured. Research to look into how far fine particulates travel, influence soil, water quality, plants, arable farming and ingestion by livestock and wildlife is inadequate and needs more research.