COUNCILLORS, campaigning for waste to be delivered to a new incinerator by barge, have vowed to keep up the pressure.

Hampshire Waste Services (HWS) has been given planning permission to build a £30 million burner, pictured, on part of the old Powergen site at Marchwood.

Much of the waste is due to be transported by lorry from Southampton.

However, HWS has been told to look at the option of moving refuse across the River Test by barge to ease the burden on local roads.

The move has been welcomed at a meeting of Marchwood Parish Council.

Local county councillor Mel Kendal said: "The county supports the idea of barging, and we should do everything we can to keep that alive.

"We need to indicate how strongly local people feel about the issue."

Parish council chairman Mike Saxby said: "We were all realistic enough to know the incinerator stood more than an even chance of being approved.

"We will now fight tooth and nail to get the best possible deal for Marchwood."

Mr Saxby said planning permission for the burner should have been granted only on condition that the applicant agreed to move rubbish by barge.

Mr Kendal said he was very disappointed that no such condition had been imposed.

Councillor Alan Shotter stressed that the construction of the new incinerator would lead to the demolition of the former burner at Bury Road, Marchwood.

"The sooner it's built, the sooner the existing monstrosity will be torn down and the approach to the village improved," said Mr Shotter.

A county council spokesman said the authority was entering into a legal agreement with HWS.

She said: "The company will have to appoint an independent consultant to look at the barging option in more detail.

"Once the outcome of that study is known, the scheme may be modified to include barging."