I correct a number of inaccuracies stated by George Whatley (Sept 1).

I reassure Canvey residents Calor Gas is not “self-regulating”. On the contrary, it is classified as a top-tier site subject to strict regulation.

Regulations require top tier sites to demonstrate compliance to the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency.

This is in the form of a safety report and sites are regularly inspected against a controlled and detailed intervention plan produced by the Health and Safety Executive.

This is, in effect, the MoT test for hazardous installations which Mr Whatley is calling for.

Failure to meet the required standard can lead to withdrawal of the company’s licence to operate.

Furthermore, regulations require Calor conducts both an off-site and on-site test of our emergency plan every three years. The off-site test is conducted in conjunction with the local emergency planning officer, and local residents are made of the test.

The safety of both Canvey residents and our staff is of the utmost importance to Calor and we work proactively with both the local community and emergency services to ensure the safe storage and distribution of liquid petroleum gas on Canvey.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service recently worked with Calor staff on a number of training exercises on-site and a new text alert service is being developed to ensure that residents have access to information regarding safety exercises, routine maintenance or training.

Finally we are concerned Mr Whatley has chosen to make derogatory comments regarding a specific Calor employee working at Canvey as opposed to criticising the company as a whole.

We do not believe that this either informs the debate or is constructive.

Graeme Lockwood
National terminals manager
Calor Gas