THE concerns of more than 2,000 residents have been conveyed to two more of the companies bidding to build a massive incinerator for Hertfordshire County Council in Hatfield.

MP Grant Shapps handed over a petition with 2,300 signatures to Wheelabrator and MVV, which are competing to build a �220m waste burner at New Barnfield, next to Southfield School, in Travellers Lane.

Mr Shapps had earlier presented the document to E.ON Energy from Waste, as he attempts to press home the considerable opposition to the plans.

He has also lined up a meeting with the fourth and final shortlisted contractor, Veolia ES Aurora.

Mr Shapps said: “These meetings are an important chance to make our points clear.

“New Barnfield is a terrible choice of site for a waste treatment plant. It would mean huge lorries piled high with domestic waste hammering along local streets every three minutes.

“It would also mean the removal of local facilities like a school and a library. It would be a disaster for local quality of life.”

Mr Shapps said it was currently “in the hands” of the four shortlisted companies to shape plans for managing the county’s waste.

“They could choose an incinerator at New Barnfield, but it’s also within their power to choose somewhere else that won’t impact on local people,” he said.

“I’ve been pushing them to go with the second option.

He added: “Local people are very clear about what they want and I’m making sure their voice is heard in the right places.”

The county council is set to trim its shortlist from four companies down to two later this month.

A spokeswoman said: “The companies bidding for the contract to deal with Hertfordshire’s household waste are under no obligation to use New Barnfield.

“In fact, they are required as part of the process to keep looking at other locations in case a better one can be found.

“We appreciate residents’ concerns and encourage people to refer to our website for a balanced view on waste treatment technology and the future of New Barnfield.”