Stop the Kirby incinerator

Lancashire County Council’s planning application to build a medical waste disposal facility in Simonswood, virtually on the boundary with Knowsley, is coming up against opposition from residents for miles around. A campaign has begun in Kirkby, a Knowsley town with many schools, 40,000 residents, and one of the worst lung cancer rates in Britain.

Because the proposed site is outside of Knowsley, by literally metres, the planning won’t be determined by that council. Kirkby residents feel that they’ve been stranded with a toxic plant and that no one is looking out for them.

Knowsley Labour council has held meetings on this issue for years. But now they’re delivering leaflets claiming they know nothing about the proposed incinerator.

But residents’ fury has turned to action. We have met and zoomed in order to organise the campaign, gain support, seek donations and find experts in the field to stop the incinerator.

Hardworking campaigners, trade unionists and independent candidates in the elections this May are actively involved. West Lancashire Borough Council has been forced to back the campaign. And Knowsley Trade Union Council and Unite union branches are supporting us and have given donations.

Neil Dunne, Liverpool Socialist Party