At a recent planning committee at West Lancs. The people of Kirkby were dealt another little publicised kick in the teeth when. - in one breath the West Lancs Council approved another COMAH (control of major accident hazards) Site at Stopgate Lane and then refused permission for Shady Acre Hall Lane to retain facilities for two riding clubs, which are attended by many local children. Spectators can freely come in and watch the horse shows, and many kids do come up from Tower Hill, although maybe now they can go and play around the COMAH site on a summer Sunday instead!

COMAH

Companies which are subject to COMAH are those which manufacture, store or transport dangerous chemicals (including petrochemical, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals) and explosives

A COMAH site is one which had quantities of dangerous substances exceeding the threshold on 1 April 1999. The COMAH Regulations shall apply to an establishment where a dangerous substance has been or was stored.

The site in Knowsley is a top tier site and could be storing a number of dangerous substances, the COMAH designated sites are a reaction to a number of major deadly accidents such as Bhopal and Toulouse, Flixborough and Seveso.

COMAH sites are classed as low tier or top tier, the North West of England has some 66 top tier sites, we don't know how many in Knowsley as of yet and nore do we know what substances or material may be stored on Stopgate Lane. We have a right to know but how many councillors here will kick up a fuss?

PS apologies for the late inclusion of this article.