CASTLE Cement has been rapped by the Environment Agency over emissions from its Ribblesdale works.

The agency has served an enforcement notice forcing the firm to closely monitor its emissions.

The firm must now carry out tests in areas around the site to ensure that it does not breach its operating authorisation, issued and regulated by the agency, which "outlaws persistent and offensive odours or haze beyond the site boundary".

Action was taken following a visit by an inspector who felt that, although the authorisation was not being breached, there was a likelihood that it would be.

The agency was inundated with complaints from local residents last weekend and served the order on Monday evening.

Ribblesdale works general manager Ian Sutheran said: "We responded to an Environment Agency query concerning plume coming to ground. "The enforcement notice subsequently issued by the agency says that we should take steps to monitor the situation which is in accordance with Castle's internal procedure.

"This should reassure the local community that Castle is prepared to take all appropriate action to ensure that we minimise the impact of our operations."

The enforcement notice will be lifted once the agency is satisfied that there is no longer likely to be a problems with emissions.

Last month trials of the controversial Cemfuel were suspended in kiln seven for up to six weeks while maintenance work is carried out on machinery.

The news came just hours after Castle Cement announced the first phase of its £8million investment programme with plans to upgrade the coal milling plant at its Ribblesdale works.

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