STOCKPORT PARTIES SIGN UP TO HISTORIC AGREEMENT

Key agencies in Stockport have signed an historic agreement to work collectively to reduce fire risk at waste transfer sites.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the first of its kind in the country, aims to better protect residents, businesses and the environment.     

Stockport Council, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and the Environment Agency (EA) have all signed the MoU.

The MoU clearly shows the agencies commitment to a partnership approach to planning, licencing and the inspection of waste transfer sites within the borough.

The MoU comes as a direct response to the waste fire in J25 in Bredbury in the summer of 2013.

The parties will reduce the burden on operators of waste transfer sites by adopting a more joined up approach to regulation and inspection to help businesses meet their legislative responsibilities.

Councillor Patrick McAuley, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said:

“Following the events in J25 a robust and purposeful response by all associate bodies was needed. Signing this agreement is a demonstration of the Council’s clear commitment to work in partnership with these agencies to reduce the risk of fires and the mitigation of their impacts at waste management sites. This move will help improve the quality of lives for communities and positively assist local businesses.”       

Billy Myers, Area Manager for GMFRS, said:

“This is a pioneering approach to managing this type of risk. Incidents like the Junction 25 fire place a huge strain on the resources of not just the Fire & Rescue Service, but all agencies involved.  This agreement is a huge step towards a safer future for the Waste industry within Greater Manchester.”

John Leyland, the Environment Agency’s Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside Deputy Director, said

“We welcome this opportunity to be part of a new approach to reducing fire risk at waste sites in the Stockport area. This will benefit local people in the area and also help to protect the local environment from potential pollution resulting from waste fires.”