Andrew Dismore

Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore has written to the Environment Agency demanding that the troubled Donoghue waste management site in Cricklewood is prevented from crushing concrete. Residents in the area complain of excessive noise, dust, pollution, traffic and congestion caused by the operation of a concrete crushing machine onsite.

At a recent meeting between residents, Barnet Council and Councillors, it became apparent that there was no proper permission for the crushing of concrete on the Donoghue’s site. PB Donoghue had a permit to operate a mobile crusher from the Environment Agency. However, their licensed crushing machine was stolen, and the business made the decision to retain their new machine onsite permanently. This would require a separate permit, from the Barnet Council rather than the Environment Agency.

Local resident Anne Clarke, who is chair of a local resident’s association, also voiced her anger. She said:

‘It is taking far too long for anything to happen. The Environment Agency performed an audit of activities onsite back in September, and we still do not have the results of this. It is not fair for local residents to put up with the noise, pollution and traffic. It is time for real action to be taken. When Barnet Council found out about the concrete crusher, the first thing they did was try to license it. It’s time for Barnet to fight with residents against this company which continues to disrupt our community.

Mr Dismore said:

‘Residents are fed up to the back teeth with this situation. Enough is enough. Now that we know that Donoghue do not have a permit from the Environment Agency for a permanently sited concrete crusher, this activity must stop.’

ENDS

Notes:

• Andrew Dismore is the Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden
• You can read my Letter to Environment Agency 14 December 2017 here.