Fiona Hall MEP

Local residents and Lib Dem Euro MP Fiona Hall are celebrating todayfollowing a successful hearing of their petition against the Path Head quarry landfill site.

The Petitions Committee of the European Parliament heard from Ryton resident Daniel Grey that water had seeped into the Path Head site during the summer, in contravention of European landfill legislation.

Said MEP Fiona Hall:

"Following new evidence presented by Daniel, the Commission agreed to investigate further. Other MEPs on the committee supported the Gateshead petition 100%. They said they were appalled to hear that proper attention had not been paid to the question of groundwater at the landfill site.

"There was also considerable concern about the fact that local residents face multiple exposures to health risks. I pointed out to the Committee that residents have to contend with many landfill sites in the same small area. Gateshead Council did not look into the implications of this multiple risk.

"The Petitions Committee of the European Parliament was unanimous in its view that the petition should be kept open and new evidence considered. This is excellent news for local residents, who have fought so hard to make Gateshead Council see sense."

PATH HEAD PETITION GETS A UNANIMOUS DECISION IN BRUSSELS