Council leader expresses concern over 'pollution' at Ravel Burn

Jul 14 2011 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

A COUNCIL leader has expressed his concerns over contamination fears at a burn in Tannochside.

Councillor Jim McCabe, leader of North Lanarkshire Council, told the Advertiser this week that in the 1970s he worked at a waste oil transfer facility adjacent to Ravel burn.

The burn – which is said to be contaminated – runs into the councillor’s Thorniewood area.

Last week, it was reported that evidence of high levels of harmful chemicals had been found in the burn. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) said they are to investigate the issue.

North Lanarkshire Council said they would work in conjunction with SEPA if necessary on the issue.

OSS Group Ltd – which operates Bredisholm Refinery, a waste oil transfer facility along the Ravel – also indicated last week they will help with any information required of them.

Councillor McCabe said that while he hasn’t had any concerns raised by members of the public, he is interested in the matter himself.

“I know the area particularly well, and I worked at the site with an older company for a number of years,” he said.

“Historically, there have been issues with contamination there.

“I think it was in 1975 when concerns were raised over contamination surrounding the site, and of course, in the Ravel burn.

“A lot of work was carried out, and a filtration system was put in place. It wasn’t sophisticated but it worked.

“I don’t know what measures have been put in place since then, but if there are fresh concerns about the water there then I would be interested.

“I have my own concerns, and I spoke this morning with the head of our environmental department.”

He continued: “The original building, which I think still stands at the OSS site, formed part of the old pits there. They were long gone before I worked there.

“In the 1970s, there were problems and people could see that the water near the site was not of the best quality. Measures were put in place at the time.

“All we can do now is to work with SEPA to help eradicate any possible contamination of the burn. At this moment, I don’t know what that might be, whether it is the result of inadequate drainage or not.

“I also don’t know what is in place at the oil site now, but if the drainage system nearby is cracked or damaged, then over a period of time, it is possible that oil could have found its way to the Ravel burn, and maybe other tributaries of the North Calder Water.”

The Advertiser reported last week that independent tests on water from the Ravel Burn carried out over three months found heavy toxic contamination.

The burn – which borders farmland and the industrial oil site – was found to have high levels of petroleum hydrocarbons, among other contaminants.

The discovery led to fears that it may have a negative impact on local wildlife, particularly a nature conservation site further downstream at Newlands Glen.

A SEPA spokesman said this week: “SEPA will be making a further assessment of the Ravel burn catchment which will involve our regulatory and scientific staff over the next few weeks.”

Citing historical pollution concerns at the Ravel burn, an OSS Group spokesman said last week it will “work with SEPA and others and contribute what we can to hopefully identify the source, wherever it may be, and help resolve this”.

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