On 1 August, at the initiative of C.L.A.R.O. and VERTIVEGA, whose representatives had earlier visited the site, Juan Ponce, Compromis Party Deputy of the Valencia Parliament, visited the immense burning waste tip on the Pilar side of the Pilar-Orihuela Costa border. He was accompanied by Vicente Perez Basante of Vertivega and C.L.A.R.O. Councillor, Bob Houliston. Representatives of the Las Ramblas urbanisations in Orihuela Costa, most affected by the burning tip, were also present. After the visit, a press conference was held outside the Pilar de la Horadada Town Hall.
Juan Ponce, Vicente Perez and Bob Houliston all stated that immediate action was necessary to stop the emission of toxic gases affecting those living near the tip, especially residents of Las Ramblas. They urged the Environment Department of the Valencia government to investigate without delay the state of the now abandoned tip which is a clear danger to health and to the environment. In the conditions of lack of supervision of the site and the hot, dry weather, they also considered that there was a serious danger of fire spreading to the surrounding area, including Sierra Escalona natural park. Juan Ponce described the great variety of waste dumped at the site over the period of many years, including car tyres, furniture, domestic appliances, plastic and glass containers. The strong smells of methane gas and columns of smoke emerging from the ground were signs of the decomposition of the contents of the waste tip and proof of the need for immediate action to put an end to the dangers to health and to the environment. Those responsible for the situation should be held to account and be obliged to clear up the site.
All those who visited the site and participated in the press conference agreed to follow up in their different areas of competence to ensure that action is taken urgently to deal with a dangerous and unacceptable situation. The formal complaint of the Las Ramblas residents to Seprona, the environment arm of the Guardia Civil, and to the Environment Prosecutor, would also be followed up.
Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/44502/
Home Insurance | Spanish Home Insurance | Home Insurance in Spain | Spanish Property | Costa Blanca Spanish Property | Spain Property | Euromillions | Euromillions Lottery Results
