Lord Newton of Braintree, Chair of The Buncefield Investigation Board, has issued an update of recommendations for future investigations into the Buncefield oil depot disaster.
The Investigation Board will continue to monitor the progress of the on-going work and criminal investigation. However, legal proceeding decisions remain under the sole jurisdiction of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency (EA).
Lord Newton of Braintree, said:
"In the year since the Buncefield incident, local residents and businesses have continually demonstrated strength and determination to overcome the devastation and changes to daily life which have been caused by the explosion.
"The Dacorum Borough Council, Business Leaders and many others have worked impressively together, not only for recovery, but also for new opportunities, renewal and growth.
"The Board is aware that great uncertainty remains and continues to work extremely hard on reaching its own conclusions and recommendations.
"Nothing can change what happened a year ago, but the Board knows that the right lessons must be learnt to prevent any repetition of such events."
Since the publication of the Board's Initial Report in mid July 2006, coupled with the evidence gathered, issues and key areas were identified, three of which the Board have focused on. These areas are as follows:
- Design and operation of storage sites.
- Emergency response to incidents.
- Advice to planning authorities.
Good progress is being made into the investigation of possible breaches of the law. This decision will be taken by the CA when all lines of inquiry have been conducted.
Further information on the Buncefield oil disaster can be accessed from the Buncefield investigation webpage by clicking the following:
Article by Alexandra Johnston
