THE idea of using barges to transport straw to the proposed Brigg Renewable Energy Plant has sunk without trace.
Dave Mouncey, from South Ferriby, an experienced River Ancholme bailiff, floated the idea last year to Eco2, the firm soon to seek planning permission for the plant on the old Brigg Sugar Factory site.
However, Eco2 director Andrew Toft has now revealed it’s a non-starter because the Environment Agency has the legal right to close the river to navigation, which would be no good for a plant requiring a steady supply of raw material.
Mr Toft made his announcement in the Angel Suite during a special session of Brigg Town Council’s planning and environment committee, held to give members of the public an opportunity to comment on Eco2’s amended application.
Robert Borrill, a farmer from Hibaldstow, suggested willow might be planted on low-lying land prone to flooding, then harvested and sent to the Brigg plant, as an alternative raw material to straw.
He thought a few hundred acres might be given over to this use in the Ancholme valley.
Confirming the plant could process this wood, Eco2 director Nigel Viney said if a group of farmers got together, his firm ‘would be interested’.
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If the firm can use the denser willow, then surely the straw bales could be, once dried out and mellowed, be compressed into smaller bales....so reducing the number of haulage vehicles to the site. Large vehicles are required for straw bales - not because of the weight - but because of its bulkiness.
I wonder if there's such a thing as a Bulky Bale Compact Compressor??!!
The second suggestion - how far away is the railway track? Could a siding be contructed?
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