Councillors Welcome Ash Lakes Reprieve

1.47.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 18th Feb 2008

Vale Liberal Democrats and the local Lib Dem County Councillors have welcomed the news that the owners of Didcot Power Station, RWE nPower, have announced that plans to dump fly ash from Didcot Power Station into one of the Radley Lakes have been deferred.

The company says that an increase in the market for reusing the fly ash coupled with a reduction in the amount produced over the winter mean that they do not currently need to utilise the lakes site.

Cllr Tony de Vere said: "This is excellent news for residents and campaigners looking to safeguard the lakes. Any alternatives to the destruction of this wonderful location, particularly re-using the fly ash, which cuts down on waste in general is very welcome. I am really pleased with the efforts made by RWE nPower to address the concerns of residents. The Save Radley Lakes campaigners have worked hard and I know will continue to work with the company to safeguard the lakes for years to come."

Local County Councillor Lesley Legge said: "It is important now to find a lasting solution and I hope that nPower's stated commitment that they take their environmental responsibilities very seriously and always look for opportunities to minimise the impact of what they do will enable them to work closely with those working to save Radley Lakes to find a sustainable way forward. With modern technology and the will that nPower have shown to find greater ways of recycling and re-using this fly ash commercially, then saving the Lakes is within their grasp."

And Bob Johnston, County Councillor for Radley, said: "Radley Parish Council have started procedures for judicial review of the decision made by Oxfordshire County Council and, whilst I am delighted that nPower have made a unilateral decision not to implement the planning permission they were given to dump ash in the Lakes, I urge the Parish Council to continue this process. In my view, the only way to secure the Lakes' future long-term remains to review the basis of the whole decision - nPower themselves admit that they cannot know what the future will hold. It is essential to preserve these pristine clear, spring fed lakes, which appear to be unique examples of their kind in the Thames Valley."