Local campaign group, Stop Portland Waste Incinerator, are organising a protest to be held on Saturday 12 September at 11am.
Lucy Grieve, former Portland Town Councillor, who currently runs the campaign, told KeeP 106 “we are hoping that crowds of people from Portland and Weymouth will turn out to show their opposition to the massive waste incinerator that is proposed for north-east Portland. Over 6,000 people have signed our petition, so we know that the opposition is huge.”
“We will gather for a photo on the green beside Victoria Square roundabout in Chiswell, Portland, by the twin Gateway Pillars. There will be brief speeches from local personalities and then we will march to the entrance of Portland Port where we will deliver our messages. Please bring your own placard with messages aimed at Dorset Council and Powerfuel Portland. For example: STOP Portland Waste Incinerator; Don’t Burn our Future; We Want Safe, Clean Air; or Invest in Real, Clean, Green Energy. We hope to have many groups joining us, such as local businesses, climbing groups, anglers and professional fishermen. I would ask them to include the names of their organisations on their placards as this will show the range of groups in the community who are opposed to the incinerator”.
The Reverend Alasdair Kay, Rector of All Saints and St Edmunds, Wyke Regis, will be joining the protest. He comments: “My objections to the scheme are based on my experience of a similar plant in Derby and its effects on the health of local residents. I worry about its impact on the already busy road to Portland. I object as a School Governor as it will create road safety issues for children going to All Saints School and Wyke Federation School. I also object as the area around Wyke is an area of outstanding natural beauty and this plant will be a blot on the landscape of a UNESCO World Heritage Site”.
Paula Klaentschi, Chairperson of the Friends of the Rodwell Trail and Sandsfoot Castle, will also be marching. She says: “This is a burning issue – we simply cannot burn materials without serious consequences. If they build this incinerator, they will be feeding it huge quantities of stuff 24/7. There are carbon-zero ways to produce power – this is not one of them. We all need to make changes in our lives to stop climate change. We can all help by reducing the amount we throw away and buying things that last. We can also help by saying a loud NO to this incinerator”.
The protest will be socially distanced, peaceful and lawful. Protestors are asked to stand at 2m distance from anyone who does not live in the same household and to wear a face covering. Dorset Police will be on hand. There is free parking available at the nearby Masonic Car Park. The No 1 bus stops at Victoria Square. Low kerbs and a footpath allow wheelchair access to the square.
