Jan272017

Press release: Clay company pays heavy price for toxic discharge

Environment Agency
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The case was brought by the Environment Agency.

The offence occurred in July 2013 after staff at Rocks Dryers, a site operated by Imerys near Bugle, St Austell, flushed a hazardous substance called ‘Jayfloc 85’ out of a redundant storage tank and into drains where it entered a series of settlement lagoons before discharging into Rocks Stream, a tributary of the Par River.

Imerys failed to carry out a risk assessment despite Jayfloc85 being classified by its manufacturer as ‘hazardous’ and ‘harmful to aquatic life’. Guidance on its use clearly states this chemical should not be allowed to enter ‘drains/surface waters/ground waters’.

The company has an Environment Agency permit to discharge into the Rocks Stream from a single discharge point. Liquids entering the settlement lagoons undergo a basic treatment. China clay solids held in suspension settle out of the liquid and accumulate in the bottom of the lagoons. Sodium carbonate is then used to adjust the pH before the effluent is discharged. The system is not designed to treat toxic chemical pollutants such as Jayfloc85.

On the day of the offence, the chemical, which is used in the processing of china clay, was flushed out of the storage tank and into the site’s effluent system and settlement lagoons via drains.

Imerys did not believe the chemical would harm the environment as it claimed the volume released was relatively small (estimated at 474 litres) and once in the settlement lagoons, it would have been heavily diluted.

The company failed to check the manufacturer’s data sheet about the harm Jayfloc85 can cause if it escapes into streams, lakes and rivers. The chemical should have been removed from the site and either used elsewhere or taken to a permitted site for safe disposal.

The Par River, downstream of the discharge point, flows into Par Beach, a designated bathing water popular with holidaymakers.

Chris Barnes, for the Environment Agency, said:

This case demonstrates how important it is for site operators to have effective training and management systems in place to prevent the discharge of toxic chemicals into the environment. Clearly, this wasn’t the case at Rocks Dryers where Imerys failed to properly assess the risks of emptying a hazardous substance into the site’s drainage system. Had it done so, the company would have soon realised the disposal of hazardous chemical in this way is illegal.

At an earlier hearing Imerys Minerals Limited pleaded guilty to, on around 25 July 2013, discharging poisonous, noxious or polluting matter into inland freshwaters including the Rocks Stream, Rosevean Stream and Par River in contravention of Regulation 12(1)(b) of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010.

Appearing before Truro Crown Court on 20 January 2017, the company was fined £75,000 and ordered to pay £25,000 costs.

Jan272017

RR1083 – Risks to respiratory health in the grain industry

HSE
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A detailed literature search was carried out to summarise evidence about respiratory disease caused by exposure to grain dust. Long term epidemiological studies examining the risk for respiratory disease in grain workers were undertaken in Canada and the USA from the 1970s to the late 1990s. Smaller studies were undertaken in the UK and Europe but mostly focussed on respiratory disease in arable and livestock farmers.

The conclusion of this review is that the damaging effects of grain dust on the respiratory tract are accumulative and occur at high concentrations of exposure. Acute responses also occur and include declines in lung function as well as irritation and inflammation of the airways. There is less evidence that grain dust exposure causes occupational asthma despite the dusts containing allergens. This may be due to a ‘healthy worker’ effect with those already having, or developing, asthma leaving employment earlier than others. There is stronger evidence that the long term effects of exposure include emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial fibrosis of the lung. The risk of developing extrinsic allergic alveolitis has reduced through preventing damp conditions in stored grain.

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Jan272017

Today’s report from the NAO should serve as a wake-up call to ministers – Wayne David

Labour
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Wayne
David MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces and Defence
Procurement, responding
to the National Audit Office’s report on the MoD Equipment Plan, said:

“Today’s
report from the National Audit Office should serve as a wake-up call to
ministers. The warning signs have been there for a long time but it is becoming
increasingly clear that the Government is in danger of losing control of the
defence budget.

“Ministers
ought to have clearly defined priorities and should ensure that, in these
uncertain times, Britain’s defence expenditure should not be the subject of ill
thought-out public expenditure cuts. The defence budget has been slashed since
2010 and the Government is only meeting the 2 per cent of GDP commitment
through creative accounting.

“The
Government should meet this commitment properly. Ministers also need to respond
urgently to the concerns raised by the NAO. And they should confirm when the
long-overdue National Shipbuilding Strategy will be published.

“Only
Labour can deliver a serious, joined-up Defence Industrial Strategy, as we did
in Government. Our approach would safeguard Britain’s industrial base, secure
high quality jobs throughout the supply chain, and protect our national
sovereignty, while achieving value for money.”

Jan272017

Press release: Planned roadworks in West Midlands: weekly summary for Monday 30 January to Sunday 5 February 2017

HM Government
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The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 27 January 2017 but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.

A38 – Alrewas to Cappers Lane including all associated slip roads: carriageway repairs

The Southbound carriageway and associated Slip Road closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A38 – Cappers Lane to Alrewas and associated slip roads: sign inspections

The southbound carriageway and associated slip road closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 30 January until 1 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A38M – M6 links from out of city A38M: carriageway repairs

The Links from Out of City A38M will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A449 – Gailey roundabout to Brewood road: carriageway repairs

The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A45 – A4423 to Church road: carriageway repairs

The eastbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A456 – M5 junction 3 roundabout: carriageway repairs

The roundabout will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 31 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Birmingham Road entry slip road: site investigation

The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight between 7pm and 7am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Warwick bypass link road northbound: site investigation

The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 7pm and 7am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Leek Wootton entry slip road: site investigation

The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight between 7pm and 7am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Warwick bypass northbound: site investigation

The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A5 – Gledrid roundabout and all approaches: roundabout widening scheme

The roundabout and associated approaches will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A5 – Mile Oak exit slip road: carriageway repairs

The westbound exit slip road will be closed overnight for one night from 9pm 3 February until 6am the following morning (4 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A500 – Talke junction island: carriageway repairs

The eastside of the island will be closed for 24 hours 7 days a week from 9 January ongoing until 31 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A500 – City Road entry slip road: carriageway repairs

The southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight for one night from 9pm 31 January until 6am the following morning (1 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A45 – Stonebridge highway westbound: carriageway work

The road will be closed overnight on Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 January. A diversion route will be signposted.

A45 – Stonebridge highway eastbound: carriageway work

The road will be closed overnight on Tuesday 31 January. A diversion route will be signposted.

A46 – Coventry eastern bypass southbound: carriageway work

The road will be closed overnight on 01 February. A diversion route will be signposted.

M42 – junction 4 exit slip road: carriageway work

The northbound exit slip road will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 30 January until 9 February 23. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 1 entry and exit slip roads: off network carriageway work

The entry and exit slip roads will be closed overnight in both directions between 9pm and 5.30am from 1st February until 5th February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted

M42 – junction 10 entry slip road: carriageway work

The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight between 8.30pm and 5am from 2 February until 4 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 – junction 6 to junction 5 northbound: major scheme work

The northbound carriageway and entry slip road at junction six will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 30 January until 1 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 – junction 5 to 4a northbound: major scheme work

The northbound carriageway including the northbound entry slip road at junction five will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 30 January until 2 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 – junction 5 to junction 6 including southbound entry slip road: major scheme work

The southbound carriageway including the entry slip road will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 2 February until 3 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 5 to junction 6: carriageway repairs

The Westbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 5 entry slip road: carriageway repairs

The westbound entry slip road will be closed overnight for one night from 8pm 30 January until 6am the following morning (31 January). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 6 to junction 7 including junction 6 entry slip road: carriageway repairs

The westbound carriageway including the entry slip road will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 30 January until 1 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 7 to junction 6 including junction 7 entry slip road: carriageway repairs

The eastbound carriageway including the entry slip road will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 1 February until 4 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 6 Salford Circus to M6: carriageway work

The carriageway will be closed overnight in both directions between 9pm and 6am from 30th January until 5th February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 2 entry slip road: carriageway work

The southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – M5 to M6 junction 8 (western arm): carriageway work

The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 8 to M5 (western arm): carriageway work

The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – Hilton Park services exit slip road: carriageway work

The northbound exit slip road will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – Hilton Park services exit and entry slip road: carriageway work

The southbound exit and entry slip roads will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 9 entry slip road: carriageway work

The southbound entry slip road will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 30 January until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 16 to junction 15: carriageway work

The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 30 January until 3 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 15 to junction 16 including junction 15 entry slip road: carriageway work The northbound

carriageway and entry slip road will be closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 30 January until 1 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 6 exit slip road: carriageway work

The southbound exit slip road will be closed overnight for one night from 9pm 2 February until 6am the following morning (3 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 11 entry slip road: carriageway work

The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight for one night from 9pm 2 February until 6am the following morning (3 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 entry slip road: carriageway work

The northbound entry slip road will be closed for 24/7 ongoing from 3 February until 10 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 to junction 8: carriageway work

The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 3 February until 5 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.