EDMONTON Liberal Democrats have added their voice to the call to close the Edmonton incinerator.

Pressure groups, including London Against Incineration, believe the Angel Road plant emissions are dangerous and continued exposure to the pollution could cause cancer in residents.

The Liberal Democrats were responding to the Greater London Assembly's Clean Air Strategy, published in September, which didn't mention the incinerator.

Trevor Stone, the party's Edmonton spokesman for the environment, said: "Incinerators have no place in densely populated areas like Edmonton. The pollution caused by the Edmonton incinerator should be specifically recognised by the Mayor's Clean Air Strategy."

Plant owner London Waste plans to increase the plant size to handle thousands more tonnes of rubbish each year.

Mr Stone said: "We want to see all plans for expanding the incinerator shelved and a commitment from the Mayor and GLA to press for the ultimate closure of the incinerator.

"Work on planning the closure of Edmonton incinerator should start as soon as possible."

A spokesman for London Waste said the closure would cost the council £1 million and mean the loss of 100 jobs.

"The recent announcement by the Lib Dems is an attempt to jump on the bandwagon in the lead up to the council elections."