A PETITION bearing more than 9,000 signatures protesting against plans for an incinerator to be built in North Yorkshire was yesterday handed into Downing Street.

Steve Wright, chairman of North Yorkshire Waste Action Group, his wife, Dee, and fellow campaigners Tony and Carole Cressey were joined by Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams and Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, as they delivered the petition to No 10.

The campaigners are opposed to North Yorkshire County Council’s plans to build an incineration waste plant near Allerton Park.

Mr Wright said: “The council’s waste plan commits the county to 25 years of incineration and is going to cost North Yorkshire’s taxpayers around £1.2 billion.

“Government research has shown that incineration is the most expensive method of waste disposal. It is also an outdated technology. We want the support of the Government and its ministers to insist on a moratorium for this plan to allow time for the review of cheaper and more modern, environmentally-friendly options for our beautiful, rural county.”

Signatures will be collected until December 15 when councillors vote on the plan.