‘Longue Hougue an unsuitable place to dispose of old flares’
LONGUE Hougue would be an unsuitable location for burning unneeded flares, the Home Affairs Committee has said, after concerns were raised about how the police disposed of the distress signals.
A series of Access to Public Information questions were submitted to the States in the wake of specialist police officers burning old flares in a skip at Fort Le Marchant at the end of January.
The burns took place over several days and at the time it was said to be the quickest, safety and cheapest way to dispose of the unwanted, expired or decayed flares.
The headland was cordoned off while the burn took place.
But some islanders raised concerns.
Home Affairs said that a risk assessment was conducted by a qualified risk assessor and the environmental impact was carefully considered.
‘The location of the disposals was fully assessed and is considered to be the most suitable location for the operation to take place due to its remote nature and the ability to cordon off the area,’ the spokesman said.
‘The high vantage point also gives operatives the ability to ensure that members of the public or animals, domestic or wild, do not breach the cordon.’
A spokesman confirmed there was not a complete list of what was disposed of, although in general a round-up of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team’s work was published in the Bailiwick Law Enforcement annual report.
In terms of protecting the public, the spokesman said it was not sensible to provide ground cover, as this might become a hazard due to the heat generated by the skip.
He added that the public were protected.
‘The area is cordoned off effectively during the disposals and only re-opened when the operatives deem it safe to do so,’ he said.
‘The disposals take place in Fort Le Marchant firing range where other ammunitions are discharged on a regular basis and the ability to cordon the area off is paramount.’
The spokesman also reassured islanders that marine flares only contained a minimal amount of nephrotoxins – chemicals that can cause damage to kidney function.
In terms of removing and disposing of the skip contents, Guernsey Waste ensured the area around the skip base was cleaned up.
The questioner queried whether the north-east corner of Longue Hougue reclamation area would have had less impact on the public and environment.
Home Affairs confirmed that area had previously been considered and risk-assessed.
‘Due to the densely populated area, businesses and chemical storage etc and the inability to effectively and safely cordon the area, this location is not deemed to be suitable.’
Home Affairs stated that the Chief Health and Safety Officer approved of police methods and stakeholders were informed about the burn in advance.
In terms of looking at different possible locations, a routine meeting between Guernsey Police, Health & Safety and Public Waste officials is due to take place shortly, where these concerns will be raised and discussed again.
