DUMP IDEA ISREJECTED.

Byline: Naomi Corrigan

FEARS that Billingham's anhydrite mines could be used to store mercury are unfounded, assured a Euro MP today.

A report relating to the banning of export of the highly toxic metal and its subsequent UK storage was due to be heard at a European Parliament meeting.

In an early draft report, a proposed amendment credited to North-east Euro MP, Martin Callanan, stated: "Storage of waste mercury in a salt mine may not be feasible, but other sites such as anhydrite or mercury mines may be available and appropriate.

"More flexibility is needed to allow for these options."

This sparked concerns among Liberal Democrat MEP, Fiona Hall who said such a proposal would leave a "question mark" over the future of the Billingham mines.

"Local people do not want the anhydrite mines to become a poison dumping ground," she said.

Conservative MEP Mr Callanan said this amendment was proposed by the group in an early draft of the report but had been rejected and would not be considered.

He added that it had been credited to him as he acts as "shadow rapporteur".

"There was a whole load of strategies put forward - around 60 amendments. But I can categorically say this proposal was withdrawn and it is gone," he said.

"There are no suggestions to put any mercury in Billingham's mines or any anhydrite mines in the report."

Many people fear if Billingham's underground cave network is reopened, it would eventually lead to toxic and nuclear dumping under their homes.

NPL Estates Ltd, behind the plans to reopen the mines, and ICI which owns the mines, have promised this would not happen.

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