25-Apr-2006 - At last
night’s Rugby Cement Community Forum (Monday 24
April 2006) the Environment Agency announced that
it will prosecute Cemex for an incident at the
plant on or before 14 October 2005, which led
to a number of complaints from local residents.
The decision to take enforcement
action follows a thorough investigation during
which we carefully considered the facts against
our Enforcement and Prosecution Policy.
The company is charged with
two offences under the Pollution Prevention and
Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000.
The case is expected to be heard
at Rugby Magistrates Court. We are awaiting a
date from the court.
Area Environment Manager, Paul
Quinn, says: "Our decision to prosecute Cemex
over an incident on or before 14 October 2005
illustrates our determination to regulate firmly
and fairly. At this stage, it would be inappropriate
for us to comment further on this case."
At the Forum meeting, the Environment
Agency also announced the results of its survey
of local people’s views on environmental quality
in Rugby and the impact of the cement plant on
their lives.
The survey was carried out between
6 and 27 February 2006. Working on behalf of the
Environment Agency, Test Research interviewed
536 Rugby residents, aged 18 plus,who all live
within five miles of the cement works in the wards
of Admirals, Bilton, Lawford and King’s Newnham,
New Bilton, Newbold and Overslade.
Almost all (99%) were aware
of the cement works and, overall, three quarters
(73%) said they were satisfied with their environment,
but a third of residents (32%) were not happy
with air quality.
Seven out of ten people (71%)
felt the cement works had at least some effect
on air quality in the local area, and over two-fifths
mentioned it as a main environmental issue. Those
living close to the cement works were most likely
to mention it as an issue, with dust from the
works being the most common concern.
A fifth of respondents (19%)
raised concerns about the burning of hazardous
materials, including tyres and other chemicals.
Smoke and emissions from the plant, health issues
and even the appearance of the site were also
raised, as well as traffic congestion and emissions
from vehicles. Concerns about the health impact
accounted for only 10% of responses, about the
same as concerns about the site appearance.
A third (33%) of residents identified
the local authority as the organisation responsible
for air quality but relatively few (8%) had contacted
any official person or body to express their concerns
about Rugby Cement.
Almost half (45%) would be interested
in further consultation about the site and the
preferred methods of contact were post, meetings,
e-mail/internet, and the local media.
Area Environment Manager, Paul
Quinn says: " We commissioned this survey
to find out for ourselves what local people think
about the impact of Rugby Cement on their lives,
and how well informed they feel.
"We have listened to what
people are telling us and we take their concerns
very seriously. We will use the results of this
survey to communicate better with people about
our regulation of Rugby Cement. It is also apparent
that people are not always sure which organisation
they should go to for information and we need
to clarify that.
"We do not have the power
to decide where such plants are built – that is
a job for the local authority. In general, they
have responsibility for air quality too. Our job
is to ensure that the plant emissions don’t harm
the environment or human health. We will regulate
firmly and fairly to make sure that companies
comply with the law.
"If people are concerned
about emissions from the plant, they can contact
us on 08708 506506 or, in an emergency, on 0800
807060."
