Follow us
The artist's impression of the East Cowes Asphalt Plant
Anti-asphalt plant campaigners fear that a facility in East Cowes would 'poison' the Isle of Wight.
Islanders will have a chance to put their questions to Eurovia, the company planning to build the plant, at a public meeting in East Cowes tonight (Tuesday).
Julia Hill, spokesperson for Wight Residents against Asphalt Plant (WRAP) told Isle of Wight Radio she has concerns about the location of the proposed plant.
'I would like to know why they [Eurovia] consider the River Medina to be a suitable site for a plant such as this, when other plants around the country are generally located in quarries, well away from built-up residential areas'.
Eurovia has released an artist's impression, which shows the plant's buildings would be visible from the banks of the river.
Julia, who lives in East Cowes, is also worried about the smoke shown in the impression.
'There's visible smoke coming from the chimneys.
'From the research that we've done we know that if smoke is visible then its likely to be toxic.
'If an artist's impression shows toxic smoke then what will the real thing look like?'.
Eurovia has an agreement to supply Vinci/Ringway, the company with the contract to repair the Island's roads Isle of Wight Council's under the highways PFI.
In a statement, the company say, 'we will be living and working on the Island for at least the next 25 years and we want to make sure our relationship with residents, businesses and visitors is a positive one.
'We will be employing local people and working hard to make sure the Highways PFI contract is a success for all concerned.
'Our goal is to make the necessary investments to the road infrastructure that will lead to greater inward investment and tourism for the Isle of Wight that benefits the whole community.'
The public forum meeting starts at 6:30pm tonight at East Cowes Town Hall.
Scroll down to see the artist's impression of the plant, and to leave your comments.
Leave a comment!
View more images