07 April 2004 11:16
SIBERIANS WANT TO CLEAN UP
A SIBERIAN city overshadowed by industry and pollution is hoping to renew its links with the leafy suburbs of Wirral
in a bid to clean up its environment.
Three years ago a twinning programme based on an air pollution initiative joined the unlikely partners of Wirral and
Tomsk in Siberia.
But as the programme draws to a conclusion the Siberian city has asked Wirral to help them keep the partnership
alive.
In 2001 council chiefs from Wirral visited Tomsk to see how they approach environmental work, meeting with local
scientists and politicians,as well as businesses.
An intensive 12 week training programme was also developed for representatives from the former Soviet city,
introducing them to the council's pollution control section,and UK practice in monitoring air quality,as well as
showing how the local authority works with industry in the area.
It is now hoped Wirral will act as the UK civic figurehead,although most of the cost for the project,around pounds
134,000, will come from the European Union, which supports partnerships between European regions and New Independent
States,formerly part of the USSR.
The project has been made possible through the TACIS (TechnicalAssistance for Economic Reform in the Members of the
Commonwealth of Independent States) City Twinning programme which is a European funded body which encourages states of
western Europe to work with the former Soviet Union to help development.
Alan Brown,assistant director in Wirral Council's planning and economic development department, said the success
of the project had prompted Tomsk city Administration to push for the scheme to continue.
He said Tomsk, which is a heavily industrialised area with significant pollution problems, had been able to learn how
the council can work with industry to manage the environment and deal with pollution.
He said: ``Not only was it a very appropriate project, but friendships were secured between the two areas.
``Our colleagues in Tomsk got a great deal out of the project in terms of air quality management,and about how we in
Wirral try to manage and take responsibility for air quality control.
``Wirral has been involved in a trail blazing project in terms of the Siberian system,and it's good for the
prestige of Wirral and Merseyside.''
[Liverpool Echo] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
