Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase, is meeting the Fire Minister having raised the growing cost that Fire and Rescue Services face as a result of fires at illegal and licensed waste sites.
Several high profile waste fires have struck Staffordshire in the last few years including the fire at Slitting Mill in Cannock Chase. The incident saw 1000 tonnes of waste stored at an illegal waste site catch fire, taking Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service several weeks to get under control. The fire was eventually buried under a soil cap using heavy machinery after the Fire Service discovered asbestos in the waste. Over a year later, the fire is still burning under the soil covering and required constant checking by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
To date, the Slitting Mill fire has cost Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service in the region of £70,000 - a cost that the Cannock Chase MP describes as 'staggering'. She believes that more needs to be done to prevent fires at waste sites and help fire services recoup these costs from illegal waste site owners so that money can be better spent.
Amanda Milling MP said: “Tackling waste fires represents a significant financial burden for Fire and Rescue Services. The fire at Slitting Mill was no different and the cost so far to the Fire Service is in the region of £70,000, which is staggering. This is taxpayers money that could have been spent on other priorities had the fire been prevented in the first place. I will be meeting the Fire Minister and other departmental ministers to press for action to be taken to ensure that all agencies have the powers and resources they need to tackle illegal waste sites before they become a fire risk.”
The Cannock Chase MP has been discussing the powers held by public bodies responsible for licensed and illegal waste sites with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Agency to identify any gaps in current legislation that hinder agencies from taking action.