Enough?
Is there not enough pollution in Port Talbot? Do we need to add to it with yet more heavy, polluting industry based very close to residential areas? Why has
the council invested heavily in tidying up the seafront area, to then ruin it with monsterous power stations? The general concensus of the public shows that we are all fed up
with the existing levels of pollution and do not want more.
Existing Pollution
Port Talbot is already officially, according to DEFRA, the "Most polluting place in Wales". These Power stations will only add to the pollution of our air, directly affecting
the health of the local population.
Air Quality Management area
The Taibach Margam area is already zoned as an Air Quality Management Area. This is
specifically because of existing high levels of particulate matter (PM10) found in the air.
In January 2003, Neath Port Talbot Council released an Air Quality Action Plan in order to
improve the air quality in this area.
We cannot see that adding new Power Stations, of the scale being suggested, is in line with the council's plan to improve air quality.
For more information:
Existing Power Stations and other Industrial Pollutants
There are currently 5 other Power Stations in the Port Talbot area.
In addition to Power Stations, we also have a coking plant, steel furnaces, a sinter plant, cement works and large stockpiles of coal and iron ore that exacerbate the dust pollution in the area.
Is this not enough?