Move oil plants away from Highlands and Islands towns plea

A call has been made for oil companies to move their fuel depots away from town centres. Council leaders from across the Highlands and Islands said the risks to their communities, highlighted by the Buncefield explosion, are unacceptable. There is growing concern over safety at sites in Lerwick, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Elgin and Buckie.

Fears have been raised following the Buncefield explosion

The politicians, who will meet in Orkney on Monday, want the Scottish Executive to intervene. The group said the potential for a serious accident was very real. They accepted that the costs of relocation would be significant but argued that the oil companies should invest a small proportion of their profits to address community concerns.

One Orkney resident has already petitioned the Scottish Parliament urging the executive to review the public health implications of siting oil depots in residential areas in light of the Hertfordshire explosion. BP, which operates some of the depots said it was aware of the concerns, but pointed out that its terminals were regularly inspected and complied with all health and safety regulations.

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