A LEYLAND councillor and anti-incineration campaigner has failed in his attempt to put forward a motion calling for the council to adopt a formal policy of no incinerators in South Ribble.

Councillor Mark Alcock claimed both the Labour and Conservative groups at a full council meeting last Wednesday (April 4) refused to support the motion and instead supported an amendment which could, the councillor claims, open the door to incineration throughout the county.

Mark Alcock said "It is appalling that the Liberal Democrats are the only group on the council that are against not only incinerators, but also the resulting health and traffic problems.

"We as the elected representatives of the residents of South Ribble should be doing all we can to protect and enhance our environment and our health, by not allowing incinerators anywhere in Lancashire."

Councillor Alcock pointed out that the criteria for the location of an incinerator is met by the old Leyland Daf site in Farington. The Lib Dem councillor also added that incineration of waste could cause problems such as "childhood cancers and leukaemia".

Labour councillor Howard Gore, and cabinet member for South Ribble Borough Council, added: "I fully understand people's views on incineration.

"However we as a council are discussing Lancashire's Waste Strategy plan as a whole.

"We must not lose sight of the fact that we are generating millions of tons of waste in this country and we have to look at the best way forward.

"Remember, incineration is not the be all and end all of the waste strategy."