The local community in East Cowes have raised concerns about a new truck park which will be used to transfer fuel, with one local saying “you might as well place a bomb in the middle of town”.
Certas Energy has taken over a small area of land between East Cowes Fire Station and the former York Avenue Garage on York Avenue, prompting concerns over the risk posed to nearby residential properties and the wider public.
Councillor Karl Love and East Cowes Town Council have raised concerns with the Isle of Wight Council Planning department as, they say, the community has not been consulted or informed of any change of use for the area.
Signs erected on new steel fencing that segregates the truck park explain the danger, with warnings about an explosive atmosphere and flammable vapour. This supposedly explosive atmosphere is within feet of the town’s fire station, which could potentially be compromised in the event of an incident. Worrying, the foam used to tackle a fuel fire is stored at East Cowes Fire Station on the Incident Support Unit.
The fire station will also have mobile communications, although the fire just 10 feet away states ‘no mobile phones’.
It’s understood that the tankers set to use the site will only carry kerosene and gas oil, which is used by households and businesses across the Island for heating. However, according to Cllr Love and the Environment Agency, on occasions, an articulated lorry will park up at the site and the rigid fuel tankers will refill directly from the larger tanker to enable further Island deliveries. Locals say this carries the risk of a fuel spill which would cascade down York Avenue towards the ferry terminal.
Cllr Love has said:
“I cannot comprehend why anyone would want to use that area for transferring/decanting from one large tanker to other smaller vehicles. It is effectively a fuel depot, with large quantities of highly flammable fuels in the heart of a residential community where there are families living in close proximity.
“I and others are concerned. One can clearly see from their signage just how dangerous the materials are.
“The former Kingston Road fuel depot occupied by Island Fuels was well away from any residential housing and our town. It was a safer area so why does this company not apply to relocate to that much safer site?
“As ward councillor for East Cowes my biggest concern is that of safety and ensuring that all the process of regulation and consultation are followed. It’s totally inconceivable to me that in today’s society with all the health and safety regulations that one would even consider placing fuels to be transferred from one vehicle to another in the heart of our town and in close proximity to residents homes”.
Isle of Wight Fuels closed their depot in East Cowes last summer, as reported by Island Echo.
Certas Energy and the Isle of Wight Council have been approached for a statement.
UPDATE @ 16:25 – A spokesperson for Certas Energy has told Island Echo:
“The East Cowes site was identified in conjunction with Isle of Wight Council last year, following the decision by another company to close the island’s only fuel depot site. We worked hard with the council to make sure of security of supply for the island, which had to include an alternative, safe location for our vehicles.
“After detailed due diligence, including all possible safety checks, we leased a disused petrol station. We also built-in extra safety features, such as increased interceptors capacity. Certas Energy is using this location temporarily to supply heating oil to the Isle of Wight while we acquire a permanent location. We want to reassure local residents that the site is safe and secure.”
Is this any difference to living next to a petrol station???? Oh quick close all petrol stations next to houses come on people get real
Reckon you might feel differently if it was next to your home.
It is in my road I live in east cowes it’s a lorry park not a factory making explosives where should they park them in the middle of a field?
It used to be a petrol station which was topped up by petrol tankers, not oil tankers. Has anyone asked the FB?
Don’t forget to re elect Lovey in May
Heating oil. It won’t ignite unless you preheat it.
not the same as petrol.
but it could be pre-heated by, say, a vehicle exhaust or welding (vehicle repair garage on the same site).
This is presumably a consequence of closure of the fuel facility at Kingston, believed to be part of Cowes Harbour Commisision’s masterplan to rule the river.
As a general principle, it must be preferable to site industrial activities away from residential for all kinds of reasons. Not that that will cut any ice with IWC Planning.
Panic panic panic – another knee jerk reaction to a non-story and no reason why one of the most regulated and safety conscious industries cannot make good use of this space…
One large firework or flares stolen by the charming youth who reside there and the whole place a fireball.
If it cascades down York Avenue, it won’t reach the ferry. the ferry docks at the end of Dover Road, which in turn connects on to Well Road. Don’t think there will be any welding going on either, the garage has closed down. The fire station is next door too. Reckon the fire brigade are quite good at extinguishing fires!
whats the problem? blooddy firestation next door you muppets….
With gallons of burning sticky oil smothering the appliances and the firemen, if the local ‘children’ steal a box of flares, then sadly the Firemen will need help, not be in a position to offer such to others.
Use county hall car park instead, then ‘see’ if it gains permission.
If we had a reliable connection to our island like a tunnel the fuel could be brought over when required and not stored at all !
If all the people that are whinging didn’t have fuel might give them something to whinge about grow up and shut up
You won’t say that if it were your children being carried out of your house like a spent matchstick.
Accidents DO happen, and with the mental youth filming everything vile ‘for a laff’ just the sort of thing they would do.