HC Deb 17 July 1986 vol 101 cc594-5W
Mr. George Gardiner

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will investigate the circumstances in which a container leaking ethyl mercaptan was transported between Fawley and Reigate on 10 July; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

I am awaiting the results of detailed inquiries into this incident by the Health and Safety Executive and the police. I shall write to my hon. Friend when these inquiries are complete.

Mr. George Gardiner

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether the movement of a container of ethyl mercaptan between Fawley and Reigate on 10 July was covered by the Dangerous Substances (Transport in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1981;

(2) whether the Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances Regulations 1984, due to take effect later in the current year, will apply to movements such as that of ethyl mercaptan between Fawley arid Reigate on 10 July; and what part his Department will play in the enforcement of those regulations.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The Dangerous Substances (Conveyance by Road in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1981 do not apply to tank containers having a total capacity of less than 3 cu m. The Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances Regulations 1984, which came into effect on 1 January 1986, apply to ethyl mercaptan: the Health and Safety Executive is the enforcing authority for dangerous substances in transit.

Mr. George Gardiner

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what road closures were necessitated on 10 and 11 July by the operations to make safe a container of ethyl mercaptan on an articulated lorry parked on the A217, and later off the M23, at Reigate.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

On 10 July part of the A217 between the Blackhorse Lane roundabout and the Babylon roundabout was closed from 16.20 hours until 2 am on Friday 11 July.

The vehicle was then escorted along the A217 and eastbound on the M25 to an unused section of the M23 at its junction with the A23. It was excorted by three police vehicles during this journey to prevent overtaking. There were no road closures. Between approximately 20.00 and 21.00 hours on Friday 11 July while the manifold seal was replaced, the M23/A23 north of the junction with the M25 to the Coulsden junction (a distance of some three miles) was closed.

No road closure was necessary while the vehicle was subsequently moved to Gillingham, nor during its journey from there to Felixstowe, but police escort was provided throughout.