VIDEO: Government urged to put an end to coal dust plaguing Immingham residents
AS the Government is being urged to step in and put an end to clouds of coal dust causing misery for Immingham residents - we show you footage of 18-month-old Mia McGrory.
After playing on her trampoline for just 15 minutes in her garden on Woodlands Avenue, her parents were horrified to find her head to toe in black dust.
-
horrified: Mia McGrory, who was covered in coal dust, with her father Michael. Submitted picture
Her grubby hands and mucky feet are a symbol of the issue which has concerned residents for at least 20 years.
A plea is now being issued to the Secretary of State for the Environment because the dust – which has once again become a health concern.
Mia's parents Michael and Alexandra, immediately called Environmental Health when she was found covered in the dust, who sent a representative to take photographs of her.
They are now working with local councillors and other concerned residents – and Cllr Stewart Swinburn has pledged to contact the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman.
He said: "It's time we went to the top of the tree.
Mia McGrory, who was covered in coal dust whilst playing on the trampoline.
"This has been going on for years and residents are really concerned about it."
To read what local councillors and ABP said of the concerns see today's Grimsby Telegraph.
36 Comments
View all
by Concerned Voter Immingham, Immingham
Friday, July 16 2010, 10:49AM
“In response to Councillor Dave Bolton,you seem to be showing concern for the residents of Immingham in relation to the long standing coal dust problem.
My concern is that you have been an Immingham Town Councillor for the last 10 years or more, why speak out now when you have had the opportunity in the last 10 years to do something.
It seems to be the same old story again, get elected to North East Lincs Council and promise to get something done about the coal dust,why don't you all get together and do something possitive and put more pressure on the one's who are causing the problem.”
by Steve Leary, Measham, Leicestershire
Thursday, July 15 2010, 9:18AM
“My sympathies go out to the local residents suffering from this pollution. We are hoping not to suffer the same in Leicestershire as we fight plans for an opencast mine on our doorstep (see mopg.co.uk) However two points to note.
Local people could look to see whether the planning guidance for opencast mine sites has anything to offer local residents in their fight - for instance in Scotland and Wales there has to be a 500 metre buffer zone between such sites and houses. Is this 500 metre buffer zone applied in Immingham?
Secondly Argus News Services recently published a news story on why so much coal is currently being stored at Immingham, because of a slump in the demand for coal for generation purposes. See:
http://www.argusmedia.com/pages/NewsBody.aspx?id=713305&menu=yes
This might help to explain why the problem has got worse recently.”
by Can't believe it, Immingham
Monday, July 12 2010, 5:16PM
“Kath Taylor, you do not know pensioner he will not get involved in anything. He prefers to moan from the sidelines and let others do the work. He is a big fan of NELC even though they do little for the town and his one aim in life is to complain about the town council quoting inaction on matters that they have no control over. I hope your coal dust campaign is successful but do not hold your breath for pensioners support”
by kathtaylor22, immingham
Monday, July 12 2010, 10:39AM
“Would the pensioner Immingham be interested in joining nthe Face Book group Stop the coal dust spreading in Immingham as your knowledge may be valuble”
by Dusty, Immingham
Sunday, July 11 2010, 4:17PM
“I totally agree there is a real problem in Immingham with coal dust but let's target the correct authority. The Town Council are doing all they can to help solve it. Council members have allowed pollution monitoring equipment to be placed in their back yards. The Environment Committee are meeting shortly with the portfolio holder for NELC in an open meeting but they can only do so much. The failure to control the problem should be placed fair and square with North and North East Lincs Environmental Department, they are the enforcing authority, do not let pensioner blow smoke onto this issue and try to blame the town council, he has another agenda.”