POWERFUL ARGUMENT

The question of whether the power cables taking 'juice' from the proposed new straw-burning power station on the outskirts of Brigg would run underground, or be carried on pylons, has been raised by concerned Coun John Kitwood.
He raised the issue at the town council's monthly meeting, held on Monday in the Angel Suite, questioning why the eco-friendly power station proposal had not been discussed by the 'full council' before.
He was told it had been considered in general terms at committee level, but no planning application had yet been received.
The plant is being suggested for the old Brigg sugar factory site, and some Scawby Brook residents are concerned about the number of straw-carrying lorries which would pass their homes on the way to the plant.
The suggested route for them is the M180 to Forest Pines interchange, then Castlethorpe Corner and Scawby Brook, before taking the old sugar factory entrance road.
Quite how lorries would negotiate the mini-roundabout near Fountain House, Scawby Brook, has yet to be explained. But it might well need this junction to be re-designed.
The only traffic issue for Brigg would be if lorries coming from the Grimsby/Barton/Humber Bridge direction decided to leave the A180 at Barnetby Top, and head through Wrawby and Brigg to Scawby Brook, rather than use the M180 to Broughton.
However, the town council meeting heard it was possible for devices in lorries' cabs to tell the owners which route had been taken.
People have also expressed concerns about the possibility of straw blowing off lorries and littering the area.
However, Brigg residents who can remember when the sugar factory (pictured) was going full tilt might well think windblown straw somewhat less of a problem than the 'bouncing beet' which was often a hazard On Brigg Streets as tractors took their loads to be processed.
The firm behind the power plant held a two-day exhibition at the Angel Suite at the weekend, to gauge public opinion and inform Brigg area residents of their aims.
Watch the Scunthorpe Telegraph and this website for the very latest information on this burning topic - apologies for the pun! - as it becomes available. And why not email your views to viewpoint@scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk