RAP victory in Walthamstow

THE RESIDENTS Against Pollution campaign was started in February 2008 as there was a threat of a new pollutant waste facility on Blackhorse Lane in Walthamstow, north east London.

Paula Mitchell, Residents Against Pollution

The North London Waste Plan (NLWP) proposed new sites for north London's waste - mostly in the poorer working-class areas along the Lea Valley - with the potential for new incinerators in residential areas.

But we organised a campaign of local residents. After participating in the official consultations, leafleting our streets and the tube station, holding big public meetings and protesting at the town hall, we are pleased to announce that we have won!

The latest stage of the consultation has been published - the "preferred options" report. In this report Blackhorse Lane has been excluded from the plans - there will be no new waste facility in our area.

We demanded: "No to incineration". It is clear that the planners have moved away from incinerators, which we explained are dangerous to health and the environment, towards a policy of waste re-use, recycling and other methods of disposal such as composting.

We also demanded: "Give us a real say" and we made sure our voices were heard.

However, we still have concerns and we still urge all North London residents to take part in this stage of the consultation process.

Incineration is not totally ruled out - the future of Edmonton incinerator after its contract runs out in 2014 is not clear.
We want to know more about the other technologies that will be used - do these have damaging implications for health and living conditions?
Most of the new waste facilities are still concentrated in the Lea Valley.
The waste facilities will still be run by private companies for profit.

We want to raise these issues so the planners know we are looking over their shoulders, but at the same time we are happy to repeat: Victory for Blackhorse Lane residents!

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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.