Hames slams Blair's backing for Lafarge

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 28th Apr 2004

Westbury residents turned out on Saturday for the Air That We Breathe march to Lafarge's Westbury cement works. About 200 people took part in the friendly and good-spirited occasion, but the depth of their feelings and concerns about Lafarge's plans to burn solvents at the plant were clear to see.

Cllr Duncan Hames outside the Westbury cement works on the march against the solvent burning trials.

"Contrary to some reports, it was a peaceful protest suitable for all the family. Westbury's Mums were clearly the most concerned about the impact of the cement works on their families' health, and many brought their families out with them." Says Cllr Duncan Hames who also took part in the march.

"The government's failure to get on top of our waste problem may make some incinerators unavoidable." Comments Cllr Hames.

"But in the interests of health and of safety, they should as a last resort be purpose built plants using state of the art technology and subject to full planning controls, not convenient disposal in cement kilns." He added.

"The government's handling of this situation, and that of the Environment Agency, amounts to allowing the creation of general purpose incinerators by the back door. That's no way to treat communities like Westbury." Claimed Cllr Hames.

Blair 'in bed' with Lafarge

Only three days later the government gave the game away when, on Tuesday, Tony Blair shared a platform with Lafarge spokesmen for a speech on the environment.

"How can we trust this government to put the health of local people first, when Lafarge turn out to be one of the Prime Ministers favourite multi-national industrialists?" asks Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesmen, Duncan Hames.