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Our visit to the Materials Recycling Facility in Old Wolverton

TMAEG’s first outing on 7 March was a great success. 19 of us turned up at the Materials Recycling Facility in Old Wolverton not knowing quite what to expect.

Andy Hudson, Head of Environment and Waste at MK Council, gave us a presentation explaining the importance of the facility in processing the contents of our pink sacks and reclaiming so much waste material. The environment, energy use and our pockets all benefit.

We were also shown a short film of the highly mechanised process and then taken to see it all for ourselves. If you’d like to see the Recycling Facility film please click here.

Three of our party have posted their impressions below.

For more information on the MRF and useful links about waste and recycling in Milton Keynes, go to www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/recycling. A quarterly online newsletter is also available.

We hope to organise another tour of the MRF next year so, if you missed it this time, why not join us then?

Dorothy wrote … The joke of the week in our family was that I announced that “Pavla & Chris were taking me to the recycling plant next week!” I am pleased to say that they did bring me back. I thank Pavla and Chris for their splendid travel arrangements and especially to Chris, I am sure his arms are suffering after pushing me in my wheelchair along ramps, which always seemed to be sloping upwards. Before the trip, I had envisaged lines and lines of moving belts with lots of operators clad in protective clothing spaced at intervals sorting out the rubbish as it moved quickly along. In truth, I only spotted one worker high up looking out of a window onto the scene below. The whole scene looked like spaghetti junction with rubbish instead of cars and lorries.

We had a very interesting talk beforehand given by the “Boss”, I am sorry I have forgotten his correct title, and he was assisted by the hands-on chief of the operation. I apologise for not remembering their correct titles, however the information they imparted was very enlightening. Both had worked at the plant for many year. Lots of information on how the huge operation worked, what to recycle and how and what money could be made and ploughed back into the system by selling on a lot of the reclaimed material.

Future plans were that adjacent land was going to be utilised for the parking up of the vehicles, as they were so expensive to run (ate up fuel) and at present were stored in Bletchley.

Another interesting point was that Notices were in English and Polish, as all, or most of the workers were Polish. After the short tour we came back to the Education Room to have a closer look at various objects and toys which had all been made from recycled materials.

This is very much a laymen’s (woman’s) account, I am sure a lot more precise information will have been noted by one or more of our Group which numbered about 20. Many thanks to Pavla and Chris and TMAEG

Pat wrote… As a member of the TMAEG group, I visited the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), one of the most modern in the country which processes 100,000 tonnes of rubbish annually.

We were shown a video about the MRF and could ask questions. We learned, for example, that aerosols (lids removed), textiles, shoes as well as aluminium and steel cans were among the items which could be put in pink sacks. There are now very few items that cannot be included in the recycling scheme and MK Council benefits from a sizeable income from the MRF, despite the fact that each collection lorry costs £155,000 and uses 1 gallon of diesel for every 2.5 miles!

From the education room, we began a tour of the facility.

A central computer controls the conveyor belts. We saw how ballistic separation sorted items according to size and weight, how overhead magnets remove steel and how laser optical sorting machines played their part in sorting plastic. At some stages the rubbish performed an almost magical dance along the belts as it was sorted.

The degree of automation is incredible and the noise level much lower than we had experienced on a visit many years ago.

We left with a better knowledge of recycling and ways in which every family can play its part in reducing the amount of rubbish sent to landfill sites.”

Rosina wrote… I and other TMAEG members attended the MK Recycling Centre in Wolverton on 7th March. Mr. A. Hudson provided information about the operations at the centre. Refuse disposal starts with the householders in Milton Keynes who are given red and black sacks. The red sacks are to contain recyclable items eg plastic bottles, yoghurt pots, paper, etc. The black sacks should contain non-recyclable items such as used cooking foil.

All items at the recycling centre are placed onto a moving belt to be transported and sorted further. One of the moving belts has magnets fitted above it attracting metal objects. The metal objects are seperated and collected together for removal. Paper and cardboard is also recycled, collected together and shredded. This is then able to be added to soil as compost material.

I noticed some imaginative use of ring pulls from drinks cans.

Mr Hudson provided detailed and interesting information about the recycling centre and I valued my visit.

Making a difference – two eyesores transformed by TMAEG and Green Gym volunteers

Working in partnership with the BTCV’s Green Gym and Milton Keynes Council (MKC), TMAEG has successfully completed two important environmental projects. They demonstrate our capabilities in the field of practical conservation and there will be many more such projects to follow.

Over two mornings at the end of January, groups of volunteers drawn from Two Mile Ash and from across Milton Keynes worked on both the restoration of the Stone Hill pond and its environs and a strip of neglected planting alongside Ashbrook School. The work was led on both days by Monique van Assouw of the Green Gym, assisted by TMAEG committee members, while Phillip Snell of MKC advised the volunteers on the scope of the work.

Stone Hill pond

The works to the pond and its surroundings sought to restore this area as both a fine landscape feature and as a wildlife resource.

Some of our volunteers removed ash saplings and a mass of very thorny brambles to bring more daylight to an area that had become too shaded,

and others made a great job of clearing the sides of the ditch/stream that runs alongside the footpath.

A third group removed tree branches and the accumulated silt from the pond, thereby tackling the anaerobic conditions and ‘summer smell’ that had become associated with it. Donning thigh or chest waders and venturing into the middle of the pond to scoop out the silt was quite an experience for this team. but the task was safely achieved.

Through this project, this important Two Mile Ash landmark has been transformed – it now looks much better and it should be far healthier for wildlife. Indeed, mallards have already been sighted on the pond.

Ashbrook School land – report by TMAEG member Pat Gray

A sunny January morning and I was fortunate to be one of a team of volunteers from the TMAEG and the BTCV beginning a project in Two Mile Ash to clean out the pond and ditch as well as to restore an area of neglected planting alongside Ashbrook School. Monique, the project leader from BTCV, began with exercises to warm up our muscles before we started work and Chris, leader from TMAEG, welcomed the group.

As one of four volunteers for the Ashbrook School part of the project, I pruned low-growing cotoneasters, cut down ash trees which were too big to dig out, pulled out some of the weeds and generally cleared the area of unwanted growth.

A number of passers-by expressed their approval of our work and we were particularly delighted to receive the thanks of the Ashbrook teachers and children during playtime when they peered eagerly through and over the fence to see what was happening. “I hope you’re enjoying it” said one little girl and we replied with genuine enthusiasm that we were!

It was the first day of the project but working as part of a team meant that much was achieved during the morning and the entire area showed improvement.

The Volunteers – in their own words

As someone who is new to the area participating on Saturday enabled me to meet some new people and find out what was being done to enhance our local environment. It was also good to get out in the fresh air, do a bit of physical work, and bring a bit of life back into a rather neglected pond (Sally).

It was a great opportunity to meet others. The warm up exercises were very gentle but extremely beneficial as was the mid morning coffee and biscuits!. We worked hard and felt really good about the results and what we had achieved. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and we made a great improvement in our environment in TMA, which everyone can enjoy ! Thanks for organising it! (Lydia).

Enjoyed two working session, not only for the limited amount of physical work I could do but because of the people I met. New neighbours as well as old ones and people from outside the area. A very worthwhile few hours (Marion).

As you know, I came to the project almost by accident. The two sessions were really well organised. The work done was very worthwhile. The results are impressive and are of benefit to TMA. But best of all it was great fun (Dave).

Rich pickings? A quiz

See if you can identify the various ‘treasures’ retrieved from the pond and ditch.

Scroll down to the bottom of the news report for our answers.

Thank You!

TMAEG wishes to thank all those who took part in these two very successful schemes.

On each day we had a ‘full house’ of volunteers and we were delighted to see how much everyone appeared to enjoy the experience. But to make the schemes happen, we are indebted to BTCV’s Green Gym who provided the initial training and the splendid hand tools, and to the MK Council who resolved the initial drainage issue and gave useful advice throughout.

For more images of our adventure click here.

Answers to the ‘treasures’ quiz

Starting with the brick with the holes in it and then spirally outwards, clockwise:

– another brick

– glass bottle

– paper pulp

– aluminium can

– bike padlock

– snack bag

– dog poo bag

– bale of leaflet inserts for free newspaper

– paper pulp

– motor bike padlock

– twisted metal strip

– shoe last!

At least that is what we think they are !

TMAEG plans pond restoration

TMAEG’s first practical project for 2012 will be to begin the work of restoring the Stone Hill pond and its environs.

As local residents will be all too well aware, the pond has become badly silted up over the years, as well as over-shaded by vegetation. So, on the mornings of 26 and 28 January, weather conditions permitting, we aim to start putting this right, using volunteers. Among the works to be done, we plan to remove ash saplings, to coppice some other self-sown trees, to cut out invasive brambles, and to begin the task of removing the silt. As a second priority, we hope also to tidy up the adjacent ditch/stream.

On these two occasions, we will be working in partnership with the national environmental charity BTCV and their ‘Green Gym’ operation. The Green Gym will provide most of the necessary hand tools for the work, as well as the splendid warm up exercises that characterise their projects. We anticipate that the volunteers will comprise a combination of Green Gym ‘regulars’ who work on sites across Milton Keynes (and who bring considerable experience) and our own members (several of whom work regularly on conservation work).

This will be a wonderful opportunity for TMAEG members and other members of the TMA community to become involved in practical conservation work and to learn new skills. Training in respect of safety and in the use of equipment will be provided at the start of each session.

We will need to know the likely numbers of participants in this work. Anyone interested should contact Chris Gossop on 561365.

The Western Expansion Area – need for grade separated crossings of V4 Watling Street – 30th Nov 2011

The planned Western Expansion Area to the west of V4 Watling Street will affect Two Mile Ash in several ways. TMAEG’s main concerns relate to the potential for significant volumes of WEA generated traffic to take short cuts through Two Mile Ash, adversely affecting the environment within our local streets, and to the adequacy in safety terms of the intended arrangements for pedestrians and cyclists to cross V4. These concerns were expressed in letters from the Chair of TMAEG to MK NEWS and the Milton Keynes Citizen which appeared on 23 and 24 November 2011

Dear Sir/Madam,

The committed Western Expansion Area (WEA) will bring 6,500 new homes, employment, schools and shops to what is presently farming land to the west of V4, Watling Street. While the expansion will be slower in coming than foreseen a couple of years ago, the WEA will still impact significantly upon the existing communities on this edge of Milton Keynes. At a recent packed meeting organised by Abbey Hill Parish Council, Two Mile Ash residents gained an insight into the likely extent of those impacts in terms of highway access and traffic flow.

At the meeting, we learned that agreement has been reached between Milton Keynes Council and the developers Redlawn/Gallagher on the principles that should govern connection to the grid network and the protection of grid corridor connections. However, from the discussion it was clear that significant worries remain locally about traffic volumes and safety and about the adequacy of the plans for the WEA in those terms.

The newly created Two Mile Ash Environmental Group would be very concerned were the new traffic arrangements to lead to significant increases of traffic within Two Mile Ash, for example, as a result of traffic taking ‘short cuts’ through our village centre to by-pass congested parts of the grid. In our view, however, a major deficiency of the current plans concerns the arrangements for crossing V4 for both pedestrians and cyclists. Whereas the established practice for Milton Keynes (see the Milton Keynes Planning Manual) is that a typical 1km section of city road contains up to three grade separated crossings, by means either of bridges or underpasses, the present plans show only light-controlled crossings on the level.

In a consultation exercise carried out in April 2008, local residents voted by a large majority for segregated pedestrian facilities. In terms of both pedestrians and cyclists, it is important that the WEA is properly linked to the existing developed areas in the same way that existing grid squares are interconnected. And notwithstanding its Roman origins, Watling Street is little different from most other stretches of grid road in terms of the volumes and speeds of the traffic it carries. We need to remember that one of the principal groups that would be using any crossing facilities would be children travelling from the WEA to school in Two Mile Ash (and other communities) and vice versa in respect of attendance at the WEA schools.

We should not compromise on the safety of our children, or on that of other vulnerable groups and individuals; therefore, truly safe pedestrian and cycle routes should be provided across V4, incorporating bridges or underpasses as appropriate.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Chris Gossop,
Chair, Two Mile Ash Environmental Group

Planting Daffodil Bulbs – 28th Nov 2011

Two Mile Ash Schoolchildren enjoy a break from the classroom, planting bulbs in the local park.

On Monday the 28^thof November Two Mile Ash Environmental Group and Ashbrook First School children joined forces with Milton Keynes Council Environmental Department to plant daffodil bulbs in Two Mile Ash Local Park. more…

The weather was fine, dry and cold and the ground was soft and ideal for planting. The groups of children from Mrs Healey’s class at Ashbrook School were quite excited at the prospect of planting the daffodil bulbs and couldn’t wait to get started as the men from the council proceeded to dig the holes prior to the bulb planting. The children were each supplied with gardening gloves and in groups of four took turns to place the bulbs in the newly dug holes. The children then went to the back of the queue to wait their next turn.
Representing TMAEG were Tom and Ann Gaunt and Pat Gray. Over 600 daffodil bulbs were planted in just ninety minutes at the High Street entrance to the local park and further down on the grassy ‘island’ opposite the bridge over the stream. The adults enjoyed it as much as the children! This was the Environmental Group’s first practical event after the October 8^th launch. We hope this will be an annual event and watch out for the daffodils in the Spring!

TMAEG would like to thank the team headed by Tony Higgins and Tom Brockway from Milton Keynes Council who supplied the bulbs and also thank the children and staff of Ashbrook School for their enthusiasm.

Tom Gaunt

Launch of Two Mile Ash Environmental Group – 8th Oct 2011

Launch of the Two Mile Ash Environmental Group (TMAEG)

The launch event took place on the evening of Saturday 8 October at the Holy Cross Church on the High Street. In his presentation, local resident, as well as town planner, Chris Gossop outlined the need for new thinking about the future of Two Mile Ash. Begun in 1983, this residential grid square with its total of around 2000 homes is located on what is currently the western edge of Milton Keynes. With its wide variety of house types, its two excellent schools, its beautiful landscaping and its distinctive village centre, Two Mile Ash has been a fine place to live. However, some features are beginning to show their age and, as elsewhere in our country, there have been local traffic conflicts as car ownership and use has continued to grow.

The campaign that led to the formal launch arose out of such a conflict. Some twenty mature trees had been felled within the previous 18 months, for the most part to ease parking alongside Two Mile Ash School (the middle school) , and there were plans afoot to provide more spaces within the landscaped strip to the west of the local store, One Stop. But as residents argued, that would result in the loss of ten trees, eight them particularly fine maples, for a net gain of just nine car parking spaces and the integrity of this area as a pedestrian corridor and amenity for residents would be badly eroded. In the end, that argument won the day. Some additional parking is to be provided, but in a far less destructive way.

In the view of TMAEG, it is time for new thinking about Two Mile Ash. That thinking should be about the following (among other things):

How Two Mile Ash can be sympathetically renewed in a way that reflects the essence of its original structure and design, focusing, in particular, on the main areas of public realm within the village centre.
More imaginative ways to ease present conflicts caused by mainly school related traffic and parking.
How all sections of the TMA community might become involved in ways to improve our environment.

TMAEG’s purpose and detailed objectives

There is much that TMA residents could do to contribute towards practical improvements. So the new Environmental Group has developed a partnership with BTCV, a national charity whose aim is to involve local people in their environment. As Community Project Officer Monique van Assouw explained at the launch, BTCV is already active in Milton Keynes and it is intended that its involvement should now cover projects in TMA. It is likely that those works will include the rehabilitation of the pond in Stone Hill.
Link to TMAEG plans pond restoration.

But, TMAEG will also be working with the local schools. Already, the first such project has been carried out in the form of bulb planting by Ashbrook School children in the Local Park.
Link to Launch of Two Mile Ash Environmental Group.

At the launch meeting, a committee was elected and the main features of a formal constitution for TMAEG were discussed. With a few detailed changes, that constitution was approved at the first meeting of the TMAEG committee.
Link to Constitution.

It was confirmed at the launch that membership of TMAEG should be set at just £5.00 per household.
How to join TMAEG

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