Veolia 2019-responses
Dear Dominic,
Deputation presented to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee meeting
I have detailed the response to your deputation on behalf of the Chair of the Committee:
(1) Emergency Access Contingencies: Are contingencies for emergency access to the site now under review? Does the Council take a view about whether Veolia should have staff on site overnight?
Veolia currently have CCTV Remote Monitoring of the Waste Transfer Station overnight.
The council is reviewing procedures with Veolia regarding waste and street collections dropped at the Waste Transfer Station in the evenings, in order to reduce the risk of combustion.
The Fire Service is able to gain access to the site using the keys in the Premises Information Box. However on 25 August, they simply cut the lock on the gate to gain access.
Veolia are also working with the Fire Service with a view to improving fire detection technology at the Waste Transfer Station.
(2) Sprinkler System: Is there to be a review of adequacy and effectiveness of the sprinkler system?
The Hollingdean Integrated Waste Facility consists of three separate buildings, the Materials Recovery Facility, the Waste Transfer Station and the Visitor Centre. The fire was in the Waste Transfer Station. The Materials Recovery Facility has a full automatic sprinkler system. The Waste Transfer Station and Visitor Centre have smoke and fire detection only.
Veolia are working with us, East Sussex County Council, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Agency to identify the best approach to preventing and controlling fires in the Waste Transfer Station. Sprinkler systems are being considered as part of this review along with other methods of fire prevention, early detection and fire suppression.
In the meantime, Veolia has created a Quarantine Bay. Should any waste be received that is assessed as having an increased fire risk, it will be placed in the Bay. In addition, material storage within the Waste Transfer Station has been reviewed and additional fire-break walls installed.
(3) Smoke Inhalation Residents would like more information about the materials burnt during the fire and ask for a robust assessment of the risks to public health posed by smoke inhalation from the fires at this WTS.
The materials in the Waste Transfer Station were non-hazardous standard waste from streets and seafront waste bins.
Public Health England consulted the Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards for advice. They recommended that with no ongoing exposure, no further public health action (including data collection) was recommended.
The Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards reviewed the modelling of the plume obtained from Met Office. This indicated it is likely that the plume passed over Preston Park. They reviewed historical Air Quality Monitoring data from the monitoring station at Preston Park. The station doesn’t monitor particulates but does record nitrogen oxide, which is a marker for potential pollution from the fire. Nothing of concern was identified as there were no recorded exceedances of hourly nitrogen oxide targets after the fire.
It is likely that there will have been respiratory health effects of short term exposure to smoke, but these would usually resolve within a few days. The advice was that this should be clinically managed and did not require public health action.
(4) Communication at the time of the fire: Will there be a review of emergency communication contingency plans?
On the evening the fire occurred, the incident was managed by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service as the fire experts and the lead for public protection and public communications in this situation.
The council sought advice from Public Health England and they agreed the Fire Service approach with regards to public health safety, which was to advise residents via social media to keep windows closed as a precaution.
The council and other agencies have learned from this event and will take a more proactive approach in terms of communications and follow up with residents in the unlikely event of a future fire.
There will be a lessons learned review when all of the investigations are completed and communications will be included as part of this.
(5) Communication about the Investigation: What external (non-Veolia) scrutiny of the investigation has been put in place given the potential risks to public health and safety? How will findings be shared? What’s the expected timeframe? What’s the latest information about the public meeting scheduled with Veolia?
The investigations to date by the various parties have focused on the cause of the fire and the immediate actions required to enable the Waste Transfer Station to resume operations.
The council, Veolia, and East Sussex County Council have agreed to establish a joint project group to review what measures can be taken to enhance fire prevention and control above and beyond current measures. The scope will cover not just Hollingdean Waste Transfer Station, but also other major waste facilities in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. This will draw in expertise from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency and external consultancy as appropriate. We anticipate being able to feedback early in the New Year.
(6) Passing of complaints between the Environment Agency and BHCC: Round Hill residents would like a review of the system of passing complaints between the Environment Agency and the BHCC Environment Team. Why don’t local officers have accurate and up-to-date data on the nature and volume of complaints about the rotting smells and noise from the Veolia site?
As the lead for the contract management, East Sussex County Council receives copies of complaints from Veolia on a monthly basis as part of the contract monitoring arrangements. This will include complaints about odour. East Sussex addresses all complaints raised with Veolia.
(7) Suitability and safety of the site location: In the wake of the range of issues brought to attention by this latest fire at the WTS, we would like the Council to review the suitability and safety of locating a facility for handling local household waste and other waste imported from elsewhere within this densely-populated residential setting.
The area has been an active waste site for over 100 years. It is managed in line with Environment Agency standards and Veolia’s Permit from the Environment Agency and would not be able to continue to operate if considered to be unsafe and unsuitable“.
This page was last updated by Ted on 26-Nov-2024