A cloud of pollution which has hung over Keighley for years has finally been lifted with the completion of major environmental improvements at the town's Triplex foundry.

Bradford council is delighted with the upgrading work carried out at the foundry in Dalton Lane following years of liaison with the firm to imp-rove its environmental record.

The removal of the pollution - such as grit, dust and fumes - has created a better atmosphere for residents and staff at the foundry, and put the firm on an environmental par with its European counterparts.

Triplex's achievements have also been recognised with a national industry award - the BS EN ISO 14001 accreditation, a high environmental management standard - which will be presented to the firm by Keighley MP Ann Cryer today. Triplex is one of the first Keighley firms to achieve such approval and has committed itself to making further improvements in its environmental performance.

Triplex has manufactured grey iron castings since 1911. It recently installed a state-of-the-art filter plant to treat polluting emissions from the knock-outs - the area in the foundry where hot castings are released from moulds.

Cllr Martin Leathley, Deputy Chairman of Bradford coun-cil's Public Heath and Prot-ection Sub-committee, says: "The improvements to the environment as a result of this upgrading are quite remarkable."

"Council officers have worked very closely with Triplex in recent years and the results reflect the success of local authority air pollution control. These improvements would not have happened without the hard work of all concerned working on a partnership approach to the problem.

"The company should also be congratulated on achieving such a demanding environmental management standard."

Chris Mintern, Managing Director of Triplex, said: "I am delighted that the Keighley foundry has achieved this prestigious award.

"This achievement is a direct result of openly communicating the company's objectives and everyone working together as a team to ensure they are met. Congratulations are in order to all concerned."

The whole process of upgrading at the foundry began in 1993 when Triplex was required to improve pollution control to comply with new legislation. A public hearing followed and the Secretary of State for the Environment granted the firm more time to install brand new Cupola furnaces.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 introduced a new system of air pollution control which required operators of various industrial processes to apply to local authorities for authorisation to operate - there are 27 such businesses in Keighley.

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