A PROTEST group is concerned it is being sidelined in discussions about sewage.

Marske Against Raw Sewage Klean Environment (Marske) was set up a few months ago by local people concerned about plans by Northumbrian Water to set up storage tanks in an attempt to overcome the problems of a stench of sewage in the town.

At a public meeting held before Christmas, representatives from the water company listened to the concerns of local people, and agreed to rethink their plans and consider alternative suggestions put forward by the campaign group.

Northumbrian Water also wanted to meet local politicians and this has prompted concerns in the group that they will be sidelined to allow the company to push ahead, ignoring the opinions of the people of Marske.

Marske chairman John Thompson said: "We are a little bit concerned that the goalposts are being moved and Northumbrian Water will get the political representatives to agree to their plans before they come back to the people of Marske.

"We fear they are not taking the depth and breadth of feeling in Marske seriously.

"We have put forward ideas to them which we feel are a long-term solution, rather than a short-term fix."

Andrew Panting, head of communications for North-umbrian Water, said they were talking to the politicians as part of a consultation process, which began at the meeting in December.

"When we apply for planning permission, we won't be applying to the protest group but to the council, and the council will want to know that we have consulted the local people," he said.

"I find it a little strange that we are now being criticised for going beyond what we are required to do."