MSP calls on government to act amid concern over chemical spills

The Scottish Government has been asked to act over safety fears after emergency services were called to an industrial estate four times in one month.

Residents living near the site want answers over the “horrendous” smell of gas at their homes after being told to stay in and keep their windows closed.

Fire and police crews had already attended two chemical spills and a large fire there before a fourth incident happened on Thursday night.

Emergency services said they had ensured the area was safe.

But after so many incidents over a short period involving “noxious smells”, Coatbridge residents are calling for answers over potential threats to public health.

MSP Fulton MacGregor, who represents Coatbridge and Chryston, says environment agency Sepa has failed to provide the clarity needed and has urged Gillian Martin, acting cabinet secretary for net zero and energy, to intervene.

In a letter seen by Holyrood, he wrote: “Given the frequency of incidents with a similar nature have occurred within a three-week period, and a fire also having taken place within this period, I wrote to Sepa to seek assurances that all necessary actions were being undertaken to identify the contaminant, safeguard the public, and to ensure that steps be undertaken to ensure that there are no further similar incidents.

“Sepa responded to advise that they are working with partners as investigations are ongoing to investigate the cause(s) of the incidents, and state that they have received no reports of pollution reaching nearby water courses and that their remit in relation to these incidents cover waste disposal and monitoring and mitigating any potential impact on the environment. NHS Lanarkshire have advised that any individual who feels unwell are advised to contact their GP, or NHS 24 for appropriate medical advice.

“With there now having been four emergency responses triggered to the same site and a further response to another site for similar concerns, I do not feel that the response from Sepa either answers the questions posed, nor provide reassurance to the public that there is no risk, other than that contaminants did not reach the watercourses with regards to the incident on 14 November.

“I would be grateful if the cabinet secretary could seek to provide advice or assistance in these matters both to investigate the causes of the reported leaks, any necessary works to remedy the leaks, and to reassure the public that there are no impacts of public health or the environment.”

Northburn Industrial Estate was evacuated and four people treated by paramedics after a chemical spill in early November, with a second chemical spill declared around one week later. Then, on November 17, fire engines were dispatched to a fire there. The latest incident, involving a strong smell of gas, happened on November 21.

MacGregor wrote to Sepa chief executive Nicole Paterson asking “if the contaminants been identified and if the incidents are linked”.

In response, the agency provided its press statement, which said that fire chiefs had advised that the blaze was “unrelated” to the other incidents, that “investigations are ongoing”, and that it has “confirmed no visible signs of pollution impacting the water environment”.

MacGregor said he was acting on concerns from constituents: “I have raised several reports of possible chemical leaks from Northburn Industrial Estate with local emergency services and Sepa.

 “I have now written to the cabinet secretary at the Scottish Government to ask for a response due to the frequency of these incidents and the fact that the type of contaminant leak has not been publicly identified.

 “Whilst current advice remains that there is no risk to the public, if any constituents wish to raise any concerns they have, or be updated on any further correspondence I receive from Sepa, they can certainly get in touch with my office or stay up to date on my Facebook page.”

A spokesperson for Sepa said “investigations are ongoing”.