Following a meeting of local residents in Oxted last night, East Surrey MP Peter Ainsworth has written to Peter Quarmby of the Environment Agency to explain his decision to issue a licence to Oxted Quarry to dump 100,000 tonnes of construction waste (or similar) per annum.
Residents believe that this activity has caused a significant increase in the numbers of large vehicles which are using lanes and residential streets in the area, resulting in debris from these lorries being left on the road and causing a danger to other road users.
Speaking on the issue, Peter Ainsworth said:
“Over recent months, local residents have complained of and documented incidents of debris from these lorries being left on the road. Indeed, only today a motorcyclist was involved in an accident on Chalkpit Lane which local residents have attributed to debris on the road surface.”
He went on to say,
“I am well aware of concerns that the frequent use of smaller roads by entirely unsuitable heavy vehicles places undue stress on an infrastructure that was never designed to cope with them, and piles up more demands on the resources of Surrey County Council. As the licence to dispose of this waste has been granted by the Environment Agency, it is extremely important to residents that they clarify the terms and conditions that were agreed. Residents must be satisfied that Oxted Quarry is fully compliant with any conditions; and the Environment Agency should properly evaluate the impact of their decisions on the quality and safety of the local roads.”
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