LANDFILL LOOKS TO OPEN EARLIER TO EASE CONGESTION NEAR SITE
It comes after complaints about HGV queues
A CONTROVERSIAL landfill site is applying to open an hour early – to stop lorries queuing in the road outside.
The operators of Walleys Quarry has asked permission from Staffordshire County Council to open the site from 6am instead of 7am.
It comes as hundreds of campaigners have signed an online petition in protest at the lorries parking along Cemetery Road, in Silverdale. They want Cemetery Road – between Keele Road and Silverdale Road – to be turned into a red route and for lorries to be banned from parking in the Silverdale Cemetery lay-by.
A Walleys Quarry Ltd spokesman said: “Walleys Quarry Ltd has applied to Staffordshire County Council for planning permission to allow lorries on-site from 6am, an hour earlier than currently permitted.
“This has been done with the intention of easing traffic congestion on Cemetery Road. If granted, this application will allow vehicles to enter the site at an earlier time so that traffic is cleared efficiently and quickly.
“No tipping works will begin until 7am, as dictated by the current permit. All lorries will be parked on the haul road with their engines off to avoid noise disturbance.
“We anticipate this would result in between 12 and 24 vehicles being removed from the road. We believe this will address some of the concerns raised by the community and we are grateful for the feedback we have received from local people.”
Stop The Stink campaigners have welcomed the attempt to tackle the traffic issue – but remain sceptical about how effective the plan will be.
Speaking in a personal capacity, Dr Mick Salt said: “I am in favour of the proposal on the proviso that a surveillance scheme is also included to ensure that tipping does not occur before 7am.
“I still prefer the original plan of Walleys Quarry paying for parking at Staffordshire Waste Recycling Centre as a goodwill gesture and then operating a virtual queuing system from there.”
Audrey Young said: “It’s a shame that this has only just been applied for now. Although we’ve seen an improvement in recent weeks with lorries not being parked in Cemetery Road they have continued to park in Silverdale Road, Bradwell Hospital and Madeley as well as in other places.”