Sir, - I write in support of the letter from Patrick McNamara of the Kill Residents (October 28th) which criticises the lack of ameliorative action by local authorities in respect of waste.
Here in Co Wicklow a similar situation is developing. The council management intends to take 323 acres of mostly prime agricultural land in two rural townlands three miles from Wicklow town for a mega-dump for the county's rubbish and also for that of Dublin.
A considerable amount of the rubbish is already going to the council's existing dump at Avoca. The new dump will be placed among the small streams which join to form the Threemilewater River, which enters the sea through a special area of conservation near Brittas Bay. The effluent (if contained) will be piped along the road to Wicklow town and out into Wicklow Bay.
This is in complete disregard of two formal resolutions against the project which were passed by a large majority of the elected councillors. The dangers to the environment are obvious, and over the past four years our group has been taking any steps open to us in order to avert them, including petitioning the European Parliament and Commission, and bringing two cases to the High Court.
We would welcome assurances of solidarity and offers of support. - Yours, etc.,
Nigel Pratt
Ballynagran/Coolbeg Action Group, Oatlands, Wicklow.