MP Andrew Turner has called on the company behind Isle of Wight PFI asphalt plans to meet publicly to address concerns.
As reported by the County Press yesterday (Tuesday) Eurovia Group called for a face-to-face meeting with Mr Turner after he raised serious concerns about the company's plans for an asphalt plant on the River Medina, near Cowes.
In a statement issued today (Wednesday), Mr Turner said the matters must be addressed in public.
Mr Turner, who was told of Eurovia's offer to meet, by the County Press, said: "I have heard nothing directly from Eurovia about a meeting.
"As made clear in my letter I tried repeatedly to arrange to meet them privately to discuss these issues, but they failed to respond.
"A failure for Eurovia to respond properly has also been the experience of many Islanders worried their lives and health will be blighted if the asphalt plant is built; it has also been the experience of our local media when trying to establish whether Eurovia will be transporting asphalt across the Solent.
"Since reports emerged that Eurovia is now willing to meet me privately I have been contacted by WRAP representatives and others saying very clearly that they object to a private meeting and want to ask Mr Wardrop their questions themselves.
"I can fully understand why they feel that way.
"I have been really impressed by the work that ordinary people with busy lives have put into finding out the technical, logistical and legal information needed to challenge some of Eurovia’s claims — and it demonstrates to me how worried they are about the effect this asphalt plant would have on them and their families.
"There is no way I would have all that expertise and knowledge available in a private meeting, so a public meeting would be better for all parties; including Eurovia if they want people to believe what they are saying.
"I know Islanders are sensible and reasonable people and I know they are also more than capable of making their own minds up.
"I very much welcome Eurovia’s somewhat belated recognition that these are serious concerns that must be addressed. I will gladly organise and chair a public meeting for Mr Wardrop and his colleagues to answer the questions of worried Islanders directly.
"It is a pity it is necessary, but Eurovia have failed to answer reasonable questions from residents for so long that I am afraid the time has passed for private assurances to me that everything is OK and nobody has anything to worry about."