THE SCALE of the kerosene oil leak at Nantycaws has escalated as the Welsh Government confirms around 140,000 litres of oil is now estimated to have escaped – almost double the original estimate of 70,000 – 100,000 which was announced earlier this week.
In a statement to Assembly Members the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs also confirmed the A48 dual carriageway will need to close in both directions in order to fix the fractured pipeline.
On Friday morning local AM Adam Price and constituency colleague Jonathan Edwards MP called for the Cabinet Secretary to visit the area and see for herself the effects of the oil disaster. Their call was prompted after their visit to residents where the polluted Nant Pibwr runs through their land.
Mr Price said he was grateful the minister was finally attending the scene, despite the initial “sluggish response” from the Welsh Government. He said the escalation to 140,000 litres of leaked oil, with still no confirmation that the leak has been stopped, meant the figure is likely to continue to rise.
Jonathan Edwards MP said the closure of the dual carriage in both directions would have “significant ramifications for the west Wales economy” and place a “huge burden” on residents along the diversion route. He questioned whether the closure was to stop environmental damage or to “ease the pain on the operator’s pockets.”
Assembly Member Adam Price said: “Despite seeing shocking images on social media, visiting the site today has really opened my eyes as to the level of kerosene oil which is in the river and the overwhelming and overpowering smell of oil in the area. From what I understand, the source of the leak along the pipeline has still not been identified, nor have we received confirmation that the leak has actually been stopped.
“We can only assume therefore, as we saw in the river today, that oil is still entering the water in substantial quantities.
“I’ve spoken directly with the Cabinet Secretary and have urged her to come and visit the site to see for herself the level of contamination. The response of the Welsh Government has so far been very sluggish.
“Having seen this contamination first hand, I am calling on the authorities to consider the case for bringing prosecutions for the damage and the events which led to this leak in the first place. We need a full investigation into this major incident, but those responsible for such devastation must be held accountable.
“I would continue to assure residents that Jonathan Edwards MP and I are here to assist them should they need any support.”
Member of Parliament, Jonathan Edwards, added: “News that the dual carriageway – the major route to and from west Wales – will close completely next week could have significant ramifications for the west Wales economy and place a huge burden on residents along the diversion route.
“I am concerned by the Cabinet Secretary’s statement which says the scale of the pipeline fracture is still being determined, yet goes on to say the road would have to be closed in order to fix it.
“If the dual carriageway has to close in its entirety we want that decision to be based on the necessity to curtail further environmental damage, and not to ease the pain on the operator’s pockets.
“All actions must have the best interests of the environment, landowners, local residents and the scores of businesses which depend on the route in mind, and no expense should be spared if there are alternative ways of fixing the pipeline.”
Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs visited Nantycaws on Saturday (Oct 8) to see for herself the ongoing work to minimise the impacts of the recent oil spill.
The Cabinet Secretary met with Emyr Roberts, Chief Executive of Natural Resources Wales, and thanked NRW staff at the incident centre in Cross Hands for their work in co-ordinating the response, before meeting senior representatives and contractors of operator, Valero.
Speaking in Nantycaws, the Cabinet Secretary said: “This is a significant pollution incident in which a reported 140,000 litres of kerosene has been released. I was pleased to learn that two thirds of this has now been successfully removed from the nearby stream and that the pipeline is switched off.
“Monitoring is continuing and I can reassure the public that this is not showing any risks to health or public water supply. NRW’s swift action has undoubtedly minimised the impact of the spill on the local community and surrounding wildlife.
“I will continue to receive regular updates on the situation.”
In order to repair the fractured pipeline the A48 will need to be closed in both directions from the evening of October 14 to early Monday, October 17. All traffic will be diverted along the official diversion route through Llangunnor.
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