Headteacher's plea to protect students in waste plant plan

Michael Lambert, head at Wordsley School, says he is concerned about extra lorry traffic on the roads surrounding his site, which children use to walk and cycle on back and for.

He has called on Clean Power, the firm behind the proposal, to scrap the scheme and save the recent developments promoting Brierley Hill in the past few years 'being undermined'.

He fears increased traffic generated by the plant would put the safety of children at risk as they walked and cycled to school.

Mr Lambert, who has written to Dudley Council, said: "The local authority have done a smashing job in the area, improving housing and encouraging people to be proud of where they are from.

"Brierley Hill has got a fantastic history, too – but something like this would work against everything which has been done for the area.

"Speak to the local community and people don't want to see it here."

He added: "There is also the traffic concerns. There are blind bends on Brierley Hill Road and a lack of footpaths along some roads. To think about the extra traffic using the roads does concern me.

"I think it could have an adverse effect on the safety of pupils walking to and from school."

The letter comes as campaign group Say No to Waste site (SNOW) also submitted an objection to Dudley Council.

The plant was first proposed two years ago before a planning application was lodged. This was turned down by Dudley Council over fears odour and traffic from the site could impact nearby residents. But last month the firm re-submitted the plans, adding internal air-locks at vehicle entrances in a bid to address concerns over smells.

There would be up to 70 waste lorry 'movements' a day, between the hours of 8am and 7pm Monday to Friday and 7am and 3pm on Saturday. No-one was available from Clean Power to comment, but the firm has previously said that the plant would have no negative impact on the community.