`WE WANT ACTION' Residents hit out at news of radioactive waste tipping.

Byline: Sian Harris

RESIDENTS' confidence in Trecatti Tip has received a blow with the discovery that low level radioactive waste was dumped there. People living in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, are calling for assurances from Biffa Waste Services Ltd, which operates the landfill site, that it will never happen again.

They also want the waste, which should have gone to Cardiff's Lamby Way tip, to be removed.

Yesterday, the agency served an enforcement notice on the Amersham medical research laboratory in Cardiff for breaking a condition of its Radioactive Substances Authorisation that Very Low Level Waste (VLLW) must be deposited at Lamby Way. The notice suspends waste dumping until Amersham can show it is meeting the requirement.

But the agency stresses the VLLW is comparable to hospital and university waste, and poses ``no significant environmental or health risks''.

Nevertheless, the community of Dowlais is very concerned, said Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney Environment Action Committee member and Trecatti Liaison Committee chairman Ian Cathrew.

He said the issue could also affect planned talks between residents, Biffa and the Environment Agency.

``Residents are hardly going to have confidence in such dialogue if they feel they are not being told the whole truth,'' he added.

County ward councillor Phil Owens said: ``They should dig up this waste and take it to Cardiff where it belongs.''

Biffa spokesman John Dresser said the waste mainly consisted of paper and office material, and was similar to other waste at the site.

He said removing it now was impossible as it could not be easily identified.

``We've always said we do not take waste classified as radioactive,'' he added. ``The levels of this waste were so low that it doesn't go against our policy. We are going to make sure this does not happen again.''

Amersham site director Dr Vic Chambers said: ``I regret the waste did not go to the site specified. I would like to emphasise though, that because of the low levels involved, this waste was technically suitable for disposal at any landfill site and there is no harm to the public or the environment.''

However, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney Assembly Member Huw Lewis said: ``It seems this waste came to Trecatti by mistake - I want to know how. I want a categorical assurance no other similar material has been deposited there.''

CAPTION(S):

CONCERN The controversial Trecatti tip site, overlooking; the South Wales Valleys.