MEMBERS of the public are being given the chance to air their views on the long-term arrangements for disposing waste in the area.

Currently 95 per cent of domestic waste is sent to landfill sites, but because of a projected shortage of current landfill space and proposed new legislation, Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority (MWDA) is looking at other options for the disposal of waste for the next 25 years.

MWDA has employed consultants AEA Technology Environment who, along with the authority and its partners from local councils, will be looking for the best practicable environmental option.

The authority has started a programme of extensive public consultation and is now inviting your contribution to decisions which will be made on a long-term waste management strategy.

Councillor Owen Brady, chairman of MWDA, said: "Your comments will help us to arrive at the best solution for waste management into the next millennium."

St Helens Council is helping to distribute leaflets and information on the subject and would like residents to contact them if they are interested in attending a meeting where an exhibition and talk will be given. Anyone interested can contact the council's recycling officer, Grace Tatlock, on 01744 456442.

Meanwhile, If you require a copy of the public consultation document, including questionnaire, information leaflet, supporting fact sheets which cover the various waste management options, or any further information, contact: Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority, 2nd Floor, North House, 17 North John Street, Liverpool L2 5QY, telephone: 0151 255 1444; fax 0151 227 1848; e-mail avmwda@compuserve.com, or website http://www.mwda.co.uk//

Completed consultation document questionnaires returned to MWDA by Wednesday, March 31, will be entered into a free draw for a new, 14-inch colour television.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.