Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall, welcomed the news that a Committee has been formed to look at the situation regarding the dumping of dredged material from the Plymouth area at Rame head.
The Committee was formed at a public meeting chaired by Mrs Murray on Friday night. The Public Meeting took place following a meeting that Mrs Murray had with the Minister in London in February and took place in Millbrook with almost 50 people attending.
The Committee will be formed to find a way forward and will involve all the key interests and concerned members of the public. Its key task will be to find a way forward and to look at all the options for the dredged material from the Plymouth area.
The Committee will consist of the following invitees; a representative from the Queens Harbour Master, Crown Estates, Plymouth Marine Science Partnership, Natural England, IFCA, commercial harbour masters, Cornwall Council, a parish Councillor and representatives of the local public including those with fishing, diving, surfing and tourism interests.
In the interests of openness it was agreed that the dredging company would be approached with the request that an AIS tracking system be placed on the dredging boat so that residents can, through the internet, see when and where dumping is taking place.
Following the meeting Sheryll Murray said, “I am pleased the local community and all the interested parties can at last get together and try to find a realistic way forward. I want the dumping at this location to stop but I also recognise that the dredging needs to continue for Plymouth to remain a viable port.
“I am now keen that this committee looks at all the options and any issues which need to be overcome. I was pleased that the Environmental Agency was present and have offered to give their expertise on possible recycling of this waste material which is one option. Clearly we must also look at alternative sites, possible issues that they may have and find solutions so that this change can be made.
“Hopefully this will mean that local people can influence a license at the application stage rather than having to react to an already issued license as has happened to date.
“I feel that with the right attitude this Committee has the ability to make things happen and has the potential to find a long term solution although I realise this might take time. I will continue to be there to assist this project and invite anyone who has any ideas or would like to send information through to the group to contact my office on 01579 344428 or to email me at Sheryll@sheryllmurray.com”
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For further information please contact Sheryll’s office on 01579 344428.