LNG concerns

10:28am Thursday 21st December 2006

Dear editor,

With LNG deliveries fast approaching, Haven residents have reason to be concerned.

LNG shore-based activities are closely monitored by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This cannot be said for the Milford Haven Port Authority which presumes that it is safe to bring LNG into the Haven on the assurances of those set to financially benefit from it.

Having met and discussed LNG concerns with both the chief executive, Ted Sangster, and the harbour master, Mark Andrews, it is difficult to comprehend their reluctance to commission a full Quantitative Risk Assessment.

Without one, it is impossible to create any realistic emergency planning for those living in the Haven.

Considering the growing number of shipping movements in the Haven, accidents will continue to occur as demonstrated by the two accidents we witnessed last week.

How much longer are we to take the word of the MHPA's chief executive who assures us that there is a policy of ongoing safety assessments, yet refuses to let anyone see them?

Mr Sangster's safety assessments seem to be only concerned with the movement of LNG tankers and not about the possible disastrous consequences that an accidental release of LNG from shipping could have on the Haven's population.

Mr Sangster's continued refusal to commission a very necessary independent Quantitative Risk Assessment of LNG tankers in the Haven and on the jetty, seems to confirm to many of us that his fear is that it might show that Milford Haven is inherently unsuitable for LNG shipping. There seems no other reason for his refusal.

The legal battle will continue.

John Cutting, The Old Rectory, Rectory Road, Llangwm.