Toxic dump talks halted

Wastego sent a note to the latest meeting

People living close to a toxic waste dump near Peterborough claim they are being kept in the dark about what is going on at the tip.

The company which operates the site, Wastego, is refusing to meet residents' representatives to address their concerns.

Concerns were fuelled by two fires at Slipe Pit near Kings Cliffe earlier this year.

People living nearby were worried about the possible chemical content of smoke which drifted over the area because some of the waste being dumped at the site is toxic.

Now Wastego has said it will no longer hold discussions with a committee made up of representatives from four parish councils.

'Not functioning effectively'

Collyweston Parish Council spokeswoman Fiona Cowan said they had tried very hard to work with the company.

She said: "We don't want to alienate them. We don't think they are the bad guys of the piece.

"We just need to get information and without information rumours start - and rumours are starting."

Wastego postponed the last meeting in September at short notice.

On Wednesday the company sent a statement to the latest residents' group meeting saying the committee was not functioning effectively nor along the lines originally intended or agreed.

A spokesman for the parish councils' liaison group said there were no plans to disband it and members would continue meeting with or without Wastego.