Chemifloc was found to have stored materials incorrectly and not complied with its licence conditions in 2012
An Irish company at the centre of the A55 chemical spill was responsible for an incident that left eight people in hospital less than four years ago.
An investigation has been launched into Tuesday’s incident, which closed a section of the A55 for more than 10 hours.
The carriageway was completely shut in both directions after a lorry carrying corrosive ferric chloride solution shed part of its 27,000-litre load on the westbound carriageway near Old Colwyn.
Irish firm Clare County Trucking was transporting the tanker and chemical on behalf of Chemifloc, who were responsible for a spill that left eight people in hospital in 2012.
That incident happened at the company’s Shannon site, and a subsequent Environmental Protection Agency report found materials had been stored incorrectly and the firm wasn’t fully compliant with its licence conditions.
In 2009, Chemifloc was prosecuted over “permitting emissions to the atmosphere at the Smithstown Industrial Estate” in Shannon two years earlier.
Neither of the incidents related to ferric chloride, which is used in waste water treatment.
Between this week’s spill and the clean-up operation, it was more than 43 hours until all lanes of the A55 were re-opened.
The incident is now under investigation by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Chemifloc said: “Unfortunately our directors are already on Easter break so are not available at this time.
“Chemifloc is fully cooperating with the DVSA investigation into this incident.”
Concerns have also been raised about the authorities’ response to the incident.
The fiasco has prompted calls for better management of emergency situations on the region’s most important road.
The closure effectively brought North Wales to a standstill, and Colwyn Bay was near gridlocked with lorries and cars trying to get from west to east.
Duncan Rees, Green party lead regional list candidate for North Wales, said: “It is absolutely essential that a full investigation takes place into the chemical leak that took place on the A55 this week.
“We need to know why it happened, including a statement from the company responsible for the vehicle involved, and for steps to be taken to safeguard the public and natural environment from the potential impact of such events in the future.
“This is particularly critical due to the proximity of this incident to people’s homes in Old Colwyn, and the strategic importance of the road / rail corridor at this part of the coast.”
Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s North Wales AM, said: “We need greater transparency so that we know what dangerous substances are being transported along key routes such as the A55.
“We know from experience how much local people depend on having this road open in terms of the economy, and it’s vital that emergency services such as ambulances can get across the region without hindrance.
“This chemical spillage needs to be thoroughly investigated.”
North Wales Lib Dem AM Aled Roberts said: “There needs to be an investigation into why the road was closed for so long after the initial spill.
“But we also need to investigate the plans for dealing with a major closure on the A55.
“We cannot have another repeat of the gridlock that was created on Conwy roads as a result.
“The response to this week’s incident needs to be explained in light of the works last year, which caused problems but which we were told had to take place in order to improve A55 resilience for incidents such as this.
“The whole issue of traffic management on the A55 leaves much to be desired.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We cannot comment on this incident before we know the full details.
“However, road safety is a priority for the Welsh Government and there are stringent regulations and controls in place for the transportation of chemicals.
“We work closely with the emergency services and other agencies to ensure these controls are enforced and to respond as quickly and effectively as possible to any incident.”
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/company-a55-chemical-spill-responsible-11097566
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