9. 8. Statement: Oil Spill at Nantycaws, Carmarthenshire

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:38 pm on 11 October 2016.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 6:38, 11 October 2016

Thank you, Presiding Officer, and I thank Angela Burns for those comments and certainly the ones around the silver command team. You’re absolutely right: it was very good to see just how well NRW did co-ordinate that multi-agency response and silver command has met on a daily basis and I’ve received an update from them.

I’m very happy to talk to Ken Skates’s officials in his absence. As I mentioned—I think it was in my response to Joyce Watson—we’re very aware that the weekend after next is the start of half-term and that’s why we have chosen this weekend. I’m sure the Member will be aware that one side of the A48 had been planned for closure while Valero had worked on that pipe.

In relation to the fact that it’s 12m down, as you said, the main pipeline that the leak reported from has been switched off and there’s now very little oil being collected in the stream, which we hope means that it’s not leaking. Unfortunately, Valero can’t reach the damaged pipe because it’s been sealed off by the Health and Safety Executive. So, Valero are going to build a new pipe alongside the pipe and reconnect it, when HSE say that’s the case, and then they’ll be able to look at the old pipe. So, I think it is important that we have those conversations with officials to make sure that we do cover all eventualities along the road. But, as I say, Members will appreciate that this work has to be done and I’m hoping that it can be done over those four days.

In relation to the 24/7 working, as I say I will speak to the Cabinet Secretary’s officials.