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Ordered the suspension of the asphalt plant of the M-501

Tuesday 19 August 2008, by sods

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Ecologistas en Acción - Madrid 18/08/2008


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Last June, Ecologistas en Acción and Sierra Oeste Desarrollo S.O.S.tenible, denounced the asphalt plant of the M-501 because they were on undeveloped land already protected short distance of several towns. On July 17, one day before opening the highway, the council agreed to Chapinería the immediate suspension of the activity of the plant.

The irregularities of the M-501, are not confined to the construction of a road that has two rulings that declared invalid. The asphalt plant that was built to produce asphalt of the road is also illegal. This is confirmed by the mayor of Chapinería, Angel Luis Fernandez Robles, through separate notice to Ecologistas en Acción and Sierra Oeste Desarrollo S.O.S.tenible. These organizations reported, last June, before the council of Chapinería and the Ministry of Environment, Housing and spatial planning, construction and operation of the asphalt plant. According Chapinería of urban planning, land on which the dehesa had lifted the plant are protected and undeveloped land prohibiting the construction of such facilities.

Moreover the plant, whose activity is considered harmful, dangerous and unhealthy, is situated less than 2,000 meters from the urban centers of Chapinería and Navas del Rey, just 500 metres from two streams and 150 metres of pipeline which carries water from the reservoir peak to Valmayor and which is used to supply the city of Madrid. Thus was reported to the Ministry of Health.

Without any authorization or environmental report, nor health, the plant was installed in April 2007. More than a year later and, after complaints, the council of Chapinería initiated proceedings to determine the existence of this facility on its municipality. After noting its existence and the absence of municipal licensing and authorization of the Community of Madrid, last July 17, the mayor agreed to the immediate suspension of the asphalt plant. The next day, Saturday, July 18, was opened to traffic the new stretch of highway.

According to the complainants organizations, it is clear that the attitude of the council of Chapinería has not been more than a sham legality. He is expected to finalize the road to denounce a situation of illegality and danger to the health of the inhabitants of the area.

Currently there is no trace of the asphalt plant has been completely dismantled, but the waste produced (remnants of bitumen) remain in the area. According to these organizations have informed members of the council of Colmenar del Arroyo and have not revealed their identity, plant residues have been dumped in quarries leave the area. These facts have not been able to verify because the fenced area and prohibited the passage. Therefore, it has asked the municipality of Chapinería investigate the facts. If that were true, U.T.E. DUPLICACIÓN M-501 (Temporary Business formed by VIAS, ISOLUX CORVIAM-Corse) could have incurred a crime against the environment, having illegally dumped hazardous waste on land included in an area protected Natura 2000 network.