Heighington Lane Incinerator Facility.
Following Ian Jones’ appearance on the Around Town radio show on 1st August, Andy and I requested access to the incinerator site to follow up on the answers Ian provided to our questions during the show.
This was to be scheduled once all of the heavy construction work was completed, allowing for safe supervised access. On Wednesday 3rd September we were given total, unrestricted access, to all areas of the site with Ian Jones acting as our guide.
Answering all of the questions that arose from the detailed explanation of the processes involved, including the pre-approved waste safely arriving on site, the security screening of the waste before it’s accepted and then processed ready to begin the incineration of the waste from start to finish. Such was the level of access provided, at one point we were able to see the internal construction of the incinerator drum itself.
We were walked through every stage of the process, given a detailed explanation of what every piece of equipment was, its role in the incineration process, all of the technical details involved and the individual safety measures that appeared to go above and beyond what is required to be installed and operational at every key stage of the process.
Every question was answered, and concerns were recognised and dealt with, over the two hours we spent on site. We were also able to witness the installation of the first two remote air quality monitoring sensors around the site which will shortly be in operation to provide Fornax with a six month detailed baseline of air quality and residual particulate and NOx gas levels present in the atmosphere before the incinerator comes into operation.
We have already been granted permission to return for further site visits, to view the findings of the external sensors and, again, once the facility becomes fully operational.
Ian has agreed to further share this with Great Aycliffe Town Council in due course. Our community expects Fornax to deliver their promise to operate responsibly, and we intend to remain involved and pro-active to ensure this happens.
Phill & Andy, Around Town, Aycliffe Radio.