After three days Greenpeace protesters leave the Sheffield incinerator chimney stack
The occupation of Sheffield incinerator has ended. Eleven Greenpeace volunteers successfully protected the people of the city from polluting gases for three days.
The seven members of the 'pit' team have left the incinerator. The remaining volunteers in the climb team are slowly making a safe descent from the 75 metre chimney stack. They are expected to leave the incinerator by the end of the day.
The volunteers who were in the plant say that they acted lawfully but have agreed to comply with an injunction from Leeds High Court.
Mark Strutt, one of five volunteers camped on top of the incinerator chimney, said:
"We have successfully stopped this incinerator from polluting
Sheffield for three days and received a great deal of support from
people who live and work in the shadow of this toxic plant. As
far as we are concerned our occupation was lawful."
"Sheffield incinerator has broken pollution laws 178 times in the
last three years and discharges hundreds of tonnes of
poisonous gases every year. We are sad that Sheffield Council
has wasted money going to the courts rather than spending
money on giving this city a modern clean recycling plant."
Following this, Greenpeace issued a challenge to Sheffield City Council to come to a public meeting this Saturday to debate the issue of
incineration. The meeting is organised by local community
group Impact and guest speakers include incineration expert
Keith Collins. Local parliamentary candidates have also been
invited.
Mark Strutt added:
"Sheffield Council have repeatedly ignored our requests for open
and frank debate about incineration and shown contempt for the
concerns of local residents. If they are really serious about
solving Sheffield's waste problems they should come to the
meeting on Saturday and discuss the issues with local people."
