By Morwenna Blake

BLUE Circle Cement in Westbury has received a further setback in plans to burn tyres to provide an alternative source of energy at their Westbury plant.

Wiltshire Health Authority has produced a report on the possible health effects of tyre-burning.

Dr John Simpson, consultant in communicable disease control, has recommended that further tyre-burning trials and health monitoring be carried out, particularly on those living in the Edington and Erlestoke area.

Dr Simpson said: "I cannot be certain that the substitution of tyres will not adversely affect the respiratory health of the downwind population."

"There is no evidence to suggest other adverse health effects at present. I also have concerns over the disparity in the dispersion modelling, the number of "rogue" high results, and the lack of monitoring on more distant downwind sites."

Blue Circle applied to the Environment Agency in June to burn tyres continuously as fuel for their cement kilns.

The deadline for the decision is Monday, but the Environment Agency has asked Blue Circle for an extension of at least two months and for the company to provide more information.

Mike Cowell, manager of the Westbury works, said: "We are surprised by the health authority's recommendations, as government research shows that there is no proven link between emissions from industrial processes and asthma in the local communities.

"The case for using tyres is robust on environmental, health and commercial grounds. There is no justification for further work and we look forward to the Environment Agency making a swift decision."

David Levy, chairman of the Air that we Breathe environmental group, has welcomed the report. He said: "The evidence from the health authority must be the final nail in the coffin of Blue Circle's application."

l BLUE Circle Cement has this week become the first UK cement-maker to publish its quality policy.

The policy commits it to delivering a quality service as well as encouraging environmentally friendly use of its products and investigating the potential to use by-products of other industries as raw materials and fuels.

Rob Davies, Blue Circle Cement UK technical director, said: "The publication of this policy reflects Blue Circle's commitment to being the quality supplier of cement in the UK.

"It is also a milestone in our work towards another goal: an integrated management system that covers quality, environment and safety performance."