CASTLE Cement is to appeal against Environment Agency orders over clinker piles and Cemfuel sampling systems at the Clitheroe plant, it was announced today.

Environment watchdogs say that an automatic system to test samples of the controversial fuel should be installed by the end of this month.

But Castle chiefs are appealing against the order and are asking for extra time with a promise that a system will be up and running by the end of July.

The Environment Agency also wants a stockpile of clinker moved to the quarry and stored in a closed building.

Castle Cement's environment manager Mr Ian Walpole said: "Castle has reluctantly appealed against conditions laid down in the variation notice.

"We have no alternative other than to appeal if we are to safeguard our legal position."

Mr Walpole said his company could see no reason why the stockpile of clinker should be moved and that it was gradually being integrated into the cement production operation. He added: "Discussions with the Environment Agency have not produced any sound environmental reason for storing clinker in a building or silo by April 1998.

"This would cost several million pounds and would be redundant by the year 2000 when the stockpile will have been consumed.

"While the stockpile is being run down, however, we have offered to cover it with plastic sheeting or spray it with a coating material."

Mr Walpole also said that he was surprised by the agency's notice about Cemfuel sampling as Castle chiefs had already pointed out that an appropriate system of sampling equipment was not, in their view, readily available.

He said: "The company has ordered a proprietary sampling system which, it is hoped, will meet the requirements specified by the agency.

"However it is not possible to install it by the end of April so our appeal seeks permission to have it in place by the end of July."

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