Michelle Dolphin - 3-Oct-2007
- The Environment Agency issued Whelan Refining
Ltd with an immediate Suspension Notice
following an incident at the plant yesterday.
The Suspension Notice, issued in line with
our Enforcement and Prosecution Policy,
prevents Whelan Refining Ltd from operating
the plant until they have investigated the
cause of the incident and put it right.
Environment Agency officers have been on
site today and will be carrying out a full
investigation into the circumstances of
the incident. They will continue to work
with the company until the problem has been
resolved to our satisfaction.
Team Leader, Dave Othen, says: “We are
very much aware of the previous problems
with the site and the effect it had on the
local community, and we understand people’s
concerns. We will not allow Whelan’s to
repeat those problems.
“We have issued Whelan’s with a Suspension
Notice. This effectively stops them from
operating until we are completely satisfied
that they have identified the cause of today’s
incident, and put it right.
“Whelan Refining must comply with the tight
operating conditions in their Permit, and
we intend to make sure they do.”
+ More
Environment Agency holds successful North
Cave flood meeting
Francesca Glyn-Jones - 2-Oct-2007 - Around
50 people attended a drop-in session organised
by the Environment Agency for residents
affected by the summer flooding in North
Cave.
The drop-in was held last week, and the
aim was to give residents an opportunity
to learn more about the flooding, and for
officers to gather information about the
affected areas.
Residents’ questions included concerns
about the maintenance of waterways, and
the role of homeowners in their upkeep.
Area flood risk manager Peter Holmes said:
“It was a busy day and it gave us the opportunity
to answer many people’s concerns.
“This information will be used to build
up a better picture of the flooding in specific
locations, and although we cannot stop the
problem altogether, we are continually adding
to our understanding of flooding in North
Cave which helps us to make improvements
for people in the area.”
Staff were able to tell residents about
the annual maintenance programme in place
on North Cave Beck which is carried out
by the Environment Agency.
As part of the annual maintenance programme,
teams will be working on North Cave Beck
later this autumn - on the stretch from
the A63 to the footbridge on Millennium
Walk.
The Environment Agency took over powers
to carry out flood risk work on North Cave
Beck from East Riding of Yorkshire Council
a year ago. It now plans to carry out a
study of the watercourse which will help
officers to assess the best way of managing
future flooding.
Staff also intend to raise low lying areas
along Townend Lane so the land is at the
same height as the existing highest level
of natural ground.
Flooding in North Cave was due to an unprecedented
amount of rain which fell in June. Between
June 14-16, a total of 63 millimetres of
rainfall was recorded at Weighton Lock,
and a further 89 millimetres was recorded
on June 25. The average for June across
Yorkshire and the Humber is usually between
60-70 millimetres.
Residents whose properties adjoin the bank
of a watercourse are responsible for maintaining
their stretch. Their rights and responsibilities
are explained in an Environment Agency booklet
called Living on the Edge. This is available
to download from www.environment-agency.gov.uk
or alternatively request a copy by ringing
08708 506 506.
