PRESS RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Gill Gardiner
Cabinet Member for Environment
Date of Issue: May 27th 2009
Contact number: 07983 624610

Irby Quarry saved from Landfill threat

Local Councillors and residents are celebrating the success of their campaign to stop a local amenity being included as a potential landfill site as part of the Merseyside Waste Development Plan.

Last year Liberal Democrat councillors representing Irby, Frankby and Greasby, Councillors Peter Reisdorf, Jean Quinn and Gill Gardiner launched a campaign which gathered hundreds of signatures opposing proposals to consider Irby Quarry as a landfill site.

Local Councillor and Wirral Cabinet member for the Environment Councillor Gill Gardiner said,

“I'm delighted with the news that the site is not to be further investigated for landfill. Landfill is the worst environmental option for waste disposal. In the case of Irby Quarry, the local road network and the access from Hill Bark Road for heavy vehicles are totally unsuitable.

“More and better recycling must be the priority, there is very little material which cannot be recycled in some way. Landfill is a lifetime blight on a local community, not just the 10 to 20 year operating lifetime, but also the landfill gas and disposal of polluted rainwater which can go on for 30 years or more.

Irby Quarry is an important local amenity bordering National Trust land, enjoyed by many Wirral residents for walking, abseiling and rock climbing. It is very important that it is preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.”

Councillor Peter Reisdorf at Irby Quarry