Bitter clash over plan to dismantle toxic 'ghost ships'
Aug 21 2006
By Rob Merrick, Daily Post
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BUSINESS leaders and trade unions have joined forces to bring lucrative work to dismantle toxic 'ghost ships' to the Mersey - a move bitterly opposed by MPs and councillors.
They have launched the Wirral Forum for Environmentally Safe Shipbreaking to persuade the Government to set up a recycling base for ageing ships heading for the scrap-heap.
It is estimated to be worth a staggering £3.5bn, with 30 Navy ships due to be scrapped in addition to nearly 400 EU-flagged single-hulled tankers.
But the forum has put itself in conflict with Wirral Borough Council, which has insisted toxic ships would "put local communities at unacceptable risk from pollutants".
It also faces fierce opposition from local MPs, including Birkenhead MP Frank Field who has branded the idea "mad".
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