Mining fears to be outlined
Tuesday 19th May 2009, 11:54AM BST.
Campaigners will today spell out their fears to a public inquiry that thousands of Telford children could suffer from asthma caused by fallout from a proposed opencast coal mine.
And they will be urging UK Coal to ensure residents close to the mine site at Huntington Lane will be paid compensation for any damage to their homes.
The points will be made to independent inspector Andrew Mead at the inquiry in Telford.
He is considering UK Coal’s bid to extract 900,000 tonnes of coal and 250,000 tonnes of fireclay over three years between New Works and Little Wenlock. A final decision will be made by the Government.
UK Coal claims the mine will meet Government demands for more home-produced coal for power stations such as Ironbridge.
It says the land, much of it currently derelict, will be restored to a better state than before once excavations are completed. And it disputes claims that noise, dust and lorry traffic will cause misery and potential danger for residents.
For the past three weeks, expert witnesses for UK Coal have been putting their case. Today is the turn of residents’ protest group Friends of the Ercall, led by Pat Judson.
His main witness is retired GP, Dr Dick van Steenis, of Sarn, near Newtown, who claims the health of the 96,000 people living within a three-mile radius of the site is at risk from dust.
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Friends of the Ercall would like to thank all those who supported them throughout the campaign to get our evidence put before the Inquiry.
The many E mails, and phone calls that i receive daily, continues to reflect the Public concerns over UK Coals proposed mine.
We thank also, the Shropshire Star, for their balanced coverage of the issue thus far, and also Radio Shropshire who have covered the twists and turns of the campaign – but most of all, we thank you, the public, for your support and commitment over a very long time period.
We look forward to hearing the courageous members of the Community who will speak on Thursday, for what they believe is right, and both local MPs on the 29th of May.
Friends of the Ercall.
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