two letters from Runcorn (Cheshire, UK) newspapers re VC rail transport

["Ms. Viv Mountford" <vivmount@greener.u-net.com>]

One letter of mine, but also one from a "real local resident"  i.e. not a member of any environmental pressure group.  N.B. I live just over two miles from the plant, but I don't count as a local resident, in most council members' eyes.

Viv Mountford (Ms)
Industry & Pollution Activist
Halton Friends of the Earth Group,  Cheshire, England
Email vivmount@greener.u-net.com
Phone (44)-1928-566236


Weekly News February 5,1998         YOUR LETTERS

HEALTH DANGER * Keep vinyl chloride away from heavily populated areas

Chemical transport bid puts community at risk

I MUST reply to Roger Mot-tram's reassurances about the safety of EVC's proposal to transport vinyl chloride (VC) by rail from the ICI/EVC Runcorn site to Barry, instead of from its plant at Fleetwood.
  EVC says there was no danger from the recent derailment at Barry and there will be no danger to us from EVC loading the trains at Runcorn.
  When discussing health hazards, Mr Mottram conveniently focuses only on cancer. Of course no-one could ever prove that a resident's cancer was caused by one particular  chemical.
  He avoids mentioning the proven short-term effects of VC exposure. These include dizziness, headaches, nausea, weakness, skin/eye irritation or, at very high levels, death.
  VC can cause damage to the developing foetus as well, according to its safety datasheet. What about the possible risks to pregnant women?
  Mr Mottram says the hazards of transporting VC are no worse than for propane, butane, or They are no better either, as it is highly explosive and flammable!
  EVC intends to load 100,000 tonnes per year of VC on to rail wagons, within half a mile of Runcorn mainline station. Three VC trains per week would run from Runcorn station, along the main passenger line via Crewe, Stafford, Hereford to Barry.
  EVC currently loads the rail wagons well outside its Hillhouse plant, yet in Runcorn its proposed railhead is on site, right next to two huge caustic soda tanks, within 150 metres of three heavy fuel oil tanks on that produces the chemical?
  The answer to me is very simple. EVC HQ is located very close to Weston Point Docks. Would it not be far safer to protect the public and transport VCM through the shipping channels straight to Barry Dock in South Wales as that's its final destination?
  This would also help generate employment back in the dock industry, rather than risk the lives of people who live near rail routes.
(name & address supplied)
Mather Avenue, Weston Point,
Runcorn