A THURROCK councillor has called on his colleagues to register their disapproval of a plan to build a major waste incinerator in neighbouring Basildon.

Although the proposed plant on the Burnt Mills industrial estate in Pitsea doesn't appear to have any direct impact on Thurrock, Cllr Fraser Massey says it still poses a significant environmental risk, particularly to air quality.

And East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe, whose constituency includes South Basildon also opposes the proposal and has said: "It can't be right that as we try and improve our air quality and clean up our environment that the only way to deal with our waste is to burn it. Incinerating it is not the answer."

Not only will the new plant have two huge chimneys which will pump out sulphur dioxide that is likely to drift over Thurrock if the wind is blowing from the north east the site will be taking waste from all areas meaning more HGVs are likely to use the A13 en-route to it.

That is why East Tilbury's Cllr Massey says Thurrock can't let the plan go by without wider protest.

He says: "I am worried to see recent plans for a second waste site on Burnt Mills.

"Although this is not inside Thurrock I am concerned for an increase of traffic and air pollution. There are already many large projects in and around the borough like the Kent Resort and Lower Thames Crossing that are pouring fuel on the fire of the already poor air quality in the borough and now this is another.

"I fully support Basildon councillors in opposing this latest incinerator, and hope my colleagues in Thurrock will also register their opposition."

You can read more about the proposed new plant on our new sister news service, Basildon Nub News, here.