Dunne welcomes Environment Agency action to keep residents safe
Philip Dunne MP has welcomed action by the Environment Agency to ensure safe operation of the Landowner Liquid Fertiliser site, a former World War II aviation fuel storage depot, outside Much Wenlock.
A 2013 survey revealed that 21 underground storage tanks at the site, formerly used by the RAF during WW2 to store fuel, which were being used to house liquid fertilizer, were in poor condition.
Modelling by the Environment Agency showed that in the event of a significant leak from any one of tanks, pollutants would have reached the River Severn in hours, potentially affecting the ecology of the river for miles downstream.
Following three Anti-Pollution Works Notices served on the site operator by the Environment Agency, the underground tanks have now been emptied. Proper emergency procedures and pollution prevention infrastructure have also been introduced, together with new above ground storage tanks to reduce future risk.
Mr Dunne said: “I am delighted the Environment Agency has acted to make this site safe and that the site operator has now significantly reduced the risk this site presented. This action protects the ecology of the River Severn and will come as a welcome relief to local residents and others.
"A spill from these outdated tanks could have been disastrous, causing millions of pounds of economic and environmental damage.
"I should also like to welcome the new Area Manager Richard Stockdale to his role, as he gets to grips with issues facing the Ludlow Constituency and more widely across the Marches.”
