THIS weeks Redditch Standard letters.
OVER the past few weeks, I have visited both the current and new sites of Kaug Refinery Services, a company which deals with extracting precious metals like gold, silver and palladium from mobile phones, using harmful and toxic chemicals like sulphuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and cyanide.
This refinery is currently in the process of moving from Deritend in Birmingham to Merse Road in North Moons Moat.
To this end, it has applied to Worcestershire County Council to be allowed to change the use of the factory in Merse Road into a refinery.
Planning permission has not been given yet, however there are already signs of work being done on the property.
My biggest concern with these plans are that the factory is approximately 80 metres away from residential housing in Hillmorton Close.
With this proximity, there is a risk of chemical leaks, which could have catastrophic consequences for residents’ health, the air, water and soil quality surrounding the building, and the health of the trees next to the refinery and the wildlife that inhabits it.
As a borough councillor I am unable to stop this plan alone, however I hope to be able to work cross-party alongside other borough and county councillors to try and stop this initiative.
Coun James Fardoe
Councillor for Church Hill
I AM writing with regards to the new Diamond Bus prices, I would like to embark on a campaign in outing them for ripping the people of Redditch off.
I have three children at school and paid £35 per child for a monthly ticket.
As of today I had to pay £50 per child.
This is an increase of nearly 43 per cent.
To me this is extortionate.
The public cannot be expected to suffer the consequences of their difficulties.
Also how can they justify that an adult monthly ticket is £57.50 yet they charge £50 for a child. Only a concession of £7.50?
I will be contacting the council to find out what they intend to do to protect the public.
Darren Bagnall
THE critical impact of plastic pollution on our planet is now well documented – it is estimated the UK alone produces more than 30,000tonnes of plastic waste that is littered or not recycled each year.
Yet although the consequences of plastic pollution may now be better understood, there is very little awareness of the deadly impact of plastic waste on working animals across the world.
In vulnerable communities, plastic waste is threatening the survival of working donkeys, horses, camels and other animals dedicated to supporting people’s livelihoods.
With economic pressures now building across the globe, many hungry working animals are supplementing their minimal feed by grazing in areas which expose them to toxic plastics, sharp needles and plastic bags and bottles.
The impact on working animals can be life-threatening, and is often fatal without urgent intervention.
SPANA works across the world providing life-saving care and support to working animals threatened by plastic pollution and other environmental and human-induced crises.
Through essential veterinary support, we are able to offer a lifeline to animals in desperate need.
We are working to transform the welfare of working animals in a world where animals, people and the environment are respected and thrive.
These animals have a vital role supporting the livelihoods of families worldwide.
On International Working Animal Day on Thursday (June 15), please find out how you can show your support for these animals by visiting spana.org/workinganimals
Linda Edwards
Chief Executive SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad)
YOUR front-page article concerning the skatepark is a timely reminder that demolishing the library is not the first piece of dubious planning by this council.
The skatepark will be adjacent to a huge municipal cemetery if the plans to defile Ipsley meadow go ahead. It is surely bizarre to have the two next to each other.
Funerals will be conducted to the background of excited teenagers and children.
As the population of Redditch expands, far from reducing the recreational park land the council should be finding ways to increase it.
I invite anyone who doubts this to walk round the lake weekends, school holidays and even at peak times in the week and you will see it is packed.
It may also be recalled that during the pandemic the police and council were urging people to use other parts of Arrow Valley Park as the areas by the lake were too full.
If the ridiculous proposals to merge the centres of Matchborough and Winyates are resurrected, which remains a possibility, taking away a prized piece of park land from an area where they are building more houses is bordering on irresponsible.
When the town has resources like Ipsley meadow and the library it beggars belief they should be sacrificed on the altar of a transitory council’s short-sightedness.
K Wass
Matchborough
