The following questions on air pollution have been kindly converted into layman's language by the forensic toxicologist Dr Keith Williams, BSc (Hons) who is a member of our campaign group opposing the installation of an incinerator at Charlton Lane.

What are PM’s?
PM’s (particulate matter) are tiny particles that float in the air and are breathed in all the time. They can be produced by natural sources but the amount of particles in the atmosphere is greatly increased thorough the burning of fossil fuels, incineration of waste and other industrial processes.

Are all PM’s the same?
They can be divided in to three broad categories, based on size. The largest of these PM10 are small enough to get into our lungs. PM 2.5 can penetrate into deep lung tissue and embed in the lung walls. PM 0.1 have the ability to cross the lungs and get inside tissues inside your body. Each type of particle will cause damage to your body in different ways,potentially causing health issues. It has been scientifically demonstrated that the greater the number of PM’s you breathe in the greater the risk to your health.

Where do they come from?
In the Spelthorne, there are currently two major sources; aircraft and traffic. SITA will increase the amount of PM’s is the air we breathe by building a gasifier, at Charlton Lane Recycling Centre. They claim that any output from the incinerator will be filtered and that any increase in PM emissions will be negligible. Scientific fact however tends to differ in its opinion. There is currently no technology available that will remove all these particles from the chimney of the incinerator. In addition, any filtration system can fail and when, and if, it does, this failure will expose the general public to large quantities of these dangerous materials, as happened in Scotland.

What will the PM’s do to me?
The more PM’s in the air we breathe, the greater the number of health issues and unnecessary early deaths will occur. Scientific studies have demonstrated beyond all doubt that PM’s will cause asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular issues, birth defects, and premature death. COMEAP, an independent advisory body to the government, estimate that on average we each lose 6 months of life due inhalation of PM’s. Surrey County Council’s air quality expert has admitted in a public meeting that quality of life for all will be improved by any reduction in PMs in the air we breath.

Why therefore are SITA UK proposing to increase these dangerous particles, poisoning the air we breathe?
Money and profit.

Who is particularly at risk?
Unborn children, young children, the elderly, anyone with a respiratory disease and the weakest of our population. There are 4000 children within 2 miles of the proposed incinerator that will be exposed on a daily basis to this unnecessary increase in pollution.Their future health is being put at risk. Furthermore, depending on the weather conditions, a local high pressure zone could significantly elevate local exposure over a short period of time and therefore increase all of our acute risks.

Is the UK government concerned about PM’s and their effect on health?
Yes. They have recently launched a two year study into the dangers from incinerators prompted by the results of a Japanese study that clearly indicated an increased rate of birth defects in areas surrounding incinerators.

What can I do about this?
Visit www.satep.co.uk for further information, and details about how to object to this ill-judged proposal. Write or Email your local County Councillor and your Borough councillor to make your objections known by 24th February (See article of 1st February). Contact your local MP to make your views known.

It seems almost unbelievable that half term is already nearly upon us. If your children or grandchildren are at a loose end, why not let them get messy at a free art open day being held at the Resource Centre in Staines Park, Commercial Rd, Staines, on Saturday 11 February from 10am-2pm.

The session is open to children aged 4 – 11 years old. Children must be accompanied by a parent or carer throughout the session. Please dress children in clothes that can get messy.

For more information please contact the Council Leisure Services on 01784 446433 or send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

At the Residents Associations' quarterly meeting with the Local Planning Authority on 23 January there was particular interest in hearing more about mineral extraction. The LPA offered to arrange a special meeting on the subject and the offer was widely supported by those present.

This special meeting will be held on Monday 27 February starting at 7.00pm and will be held at the Council Offices at Knowle Green. The meeting will not end later than 8.45pm but as always the LPA will be happy to stay on longer to talk informally with those who may have further questions. The evening will be in two parts with a slide presentation on the subject by John Brooks, Head of Planning Policy, followed by time for questions. As with all of the meetings with residents groups this will be an informal occasion with Council officers.

This meeting will be very timely as the Council is expecting two large mineral proposals to be submitted in the next few months – at Manor Farm between Laleham and Staines; and Watersplash Farm between Shepperton and Sunbury. In the coming few years there are also likely to be further proposals. Whilst planning application decisions on minerals and waste matters are taken by the County Council, the Borough Council is a statutory consultee and will always give its views. Such proposals always arouse concern and the LPA hopes to provide a good background on the subject for residents.

The following will give you an idea of what the LPA will try and cover:

1. Need for gravel
2. Why we have so much gravel working in Spelthorne
3. What is currently being worked and where in the Borough
4. Nature of modern extraction processes and restoration
5. Aggregate recycling and disposal of construction waste
6. Planning policies for minerals and construction waste
7. Future proposals for gravel in Spelthorne
8. What is Spelthorne Council’s approach to the issue?
   
   

In view of the likely wider interest in the subject the LPA plans to use the Council Chamber rather than the Committee Room. LOSRA is being invited to send 3 or 4 people. This is not a public meeting and we may exceed this number if necessary.

If you would like to attend, please use the Contact LOSRA menu button by Wednesday 22nd February and leave your details. We will operate on a "first come first served" basis.

Residents are reminded that the closing date for written representations to Surrey County Council closes on 24th February (See article of 16th January).

The Leader of the Council, Cllr. Vivienne Leighton, has written to residents and her letter is reproduced here.

It was only recently that the Registered Charity, Thames 21 extended its remit to include the non-tidal reaches of the Thames and will again be coming to Sunbury Lock Island on Saturday 18th February from 10am - 1pm. This location is a charming part of the Lower Sunbury riverscape and we are being asked to join a team to give it a clean-up.

Volunteers are needed to help with removing litter and managing the vegetation. It will also be a great opportunity to learn about the environment, spot wildlife and meet new people. Volunteers are asked to report to the footbridge ahead of the lock at 10am. Old clothes recommended but all necessary equipment will be provided. For more details, click here.

The following Press Release has been received by LOSRA:

Surrey’s leaders have vowed they will do all they can to help people throw street parties to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, Cllr Vivienne Leighton said: “There is going to be a real buzz of excitement around the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and I’m sure many Spelthorne residents will be planning to celebrate this historic event. We are committed to making it easy for residents to hold street parties and can offer support and advice to help ensure things go smoothly. Visit our website at www.spelthorne.gov.uk/streetparties or contact us on 01784 451499.

Surrey County Council Leader, David Hodge said: “There were more than 200 street parties in Surrey for last year’s Royal wedding and we want people to come together again and show the sense of community spirit that makes the County such a wonderful place to live.

“I can’t think of a better way to mark 60 years of the Queen’s reign than spending the day celebrating with neighbours or friends and I have asked our highways teams go out of their way to help make this happen.

“To help people turn party plans into reality we’ve made it simpler and quicker to apply for a road closure but of course there will be some cases where the potential effect on the emergency services means we have to ensure safety is not compromised.”

Applications for parties can be made to district and borough councils, who make the final decision. Surrey County Council is consulted on road closures. For more details visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/diamondjubilee.