25 July 2005
Edmund Nuttall Limited, whose registered
office is at St James House, Camberley, Surrey was fined
£37,500 by Magistrates' at Bridgend today. The company
had pleaded guilty to four offences under the Water Resources
Act 1991, relating to the discharge of polluting matter
into the River Llynfi. The offences specifically related
to the discharge of contaminated surface water from the
Maesteg Washery Restoration Scheme into the River Llynfi
in January and August 2004. The company was also ordered
to pay the full £3,122 costs of the prosecution,
brought by Environment Agency Wales.
The charges were as follows:
-
Causing polluting matter to enter the
River Llynfi from the Harvey Street Culvert, Maesteg
on 16 August 2004.
-
Causing polluting matter to enter the
River Llynfi from Crown Rise, Maesteg on 18 August 2004.
-
Causing polluting matter to enter the
River Llynfi from Harvey Street Culvert, Maesteg on
18 August 2004.
-
The company was fined £12,500
on each of these three charges, brought under Section
85(1) of the Water Resources Act 1991.
-
On a fourth charge - under Section 85(6)
- of failing to comply with a condition of a discharge
consent on 14 January 2004, no separate penalty was
applied.
The Court sentenced the company on the totality of the
offences committed. Whilst the January offence incurred
no separate penalty, the Court took the view that the
company had sufficient opportunity to put in place the
correct procedures to deal with any potential incident
or pollution from the site after that date.
Speaking after the case Neil Herbert, Agency Senior Environment
Officer said: ' The Agency is pleased that the court recognised
the seriousness of these offences, which was reflected
in the level of fine imposed on the offender. The case
highlights the important obligations the industry carries,
in ensuring that these restoration projects are undertaken
in a manner, which does not cause pollution of the environment.
We will always endeavour to work with industry to prevent
pollution, but we will also act firmly against those who
fail to heed our advice.'
Anyone who sees pollution, illegal tipping of waste,
poaching, fish in distress or danger to the natural environment
can contact the Agency's emergency hotline on 0800 80
70 60. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year, calls are free and will be treated in the strictest
confidence.
We are a Welsh Assembly Government sponsored public body
protecting and improving the environment in Wales for
present and future generations. We are responsible for
managing flood risk, dealing with pollution incidents,
reducing industry's impacts on the environment, cleaning
up rivers, coastal waters and contaminated land, and improving
wildlife habitats.
More information about the Agency is available on the
world wide web - www.environment-agency.wales.gov.uk
For more details on The £10 m Maesteg Washery Regeneration
Scheme funded mainly by the Welsh Development Agency,........
click
here>>
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