The number of lorries travelling to and from the waste facility at Charlton Lane, Shepperton, will be almost halved if an Eco Park is created there, research has revealed

Currently around 350 journeys are made by HGV each day taking waste to and from the community recycling centre. However, it's predicted that the operation of the Eco Park would only generate 179 lorry journeys per day, which is a 49% reduction.

This is because technologies such as an anaerobic digester would treat and reduce the volume of waste meaning less waste needs to be taken away by lorry compared with the current operation. This will reduce traffic, cut costs and improve air quality by reducing vehicle emissions.

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Lynne Hack, Surrey County Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "With landfill costs soaring by millions of pounds each year, we need more cost effective and greener ways of disposing of Surrey's waste and the Eco Park is a key part of the solution. Almost halving lorry movements in the area will reduce congestion on the roads which I'm sure will be welcomed by local communities.

"Waste is also a renewable energy source and the Eco Park will help us exploit this by producing enough energy to power thousands of homes per year. However, there is still a long way to go and we will be working with residents all the way through the planning process to make sure we understand their views."

A public consultation is currently taking place that will help form a planning application to be submitted in October. The application will be decided upon in early 2011 and if it is approved, building work could begin in August next year.

(CD)