ABLE UK LICENCE ISSUED/CLEMENCEAU

[Nathan]

Carlo Magno & H - 627 arrived at 13:26.

Another smaller barge, H - 302 is forecast for the 31st, 14:30 FIRM. Along with the tug 'Primus'.

Regards

[Nathan]

Primus & H - 302 arrived at 15:03 today (31st).

The barge was carrying long pipes and a mobile crane.

Reggards

[Guest]

Hi All

 'Ghost ship' firm in legal threat

A legal challenge has been mounted to stop a French aircraft carrier being scrapped by a firm embroiled in a row over over so-called "ghost ships".

Hartlepool-based Able UK wants to dismantle the 32,700-tonne Clemenceau at its facility near Hartlepool.

But the Friends of Hartlepool group raised concerns about the vessel which contains 700 tonnes of asbestos.

The High Court will hear claims the Health and Safety Executive was wrong to grant Able a waste certificate.

The Clemenceau, which was once the pride of the French navy, is currently berthed in France after being brought back from India in 2006 amid concerns over her toxic elements.

Public interest

Jean Kennedy, of the Friends of Hartlepool group, said: "The HSE has made a special exception to allow this toxic ghost ship and its deadly cargo into our local community.

"We feel that it is a deep injustice to force a small town, which has already disproportionately suffered the ill-effects of polluting industries and has one of the highest cancer rates in the UK, to accept France's toxic waste."

Able UK caused an outcry when it brought four rusting US "ghost ships" to its dock five years ago.

After years of legal wrangling, Able won planning permission and a waste management licence to allow it to break up ships at its Graythorpe facility.

Phil Shiner, from Public Interest Lawyers (PIL), said: "This challenge raises significant public-interest environmental issues where the HSE has clearly failed to follow their own policy on granting exemptions to health and safety legislation."

A HSE spokesman confirmed a challenge had been made, but said no other comment could be made until after the case.

The case is expected to be heard later this month.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/tees/7596199.stm

Published: 2008/09/03 13:51:17 GMT

Regards

[eclaire]

Another pointless delay - there is probably more asbestos in disused factories in and around Hartlepool than Clemenceau will bring in and the area needs the jobs ABLE will provide.

Whats the betting she wont be able to get over here  this year now (assuming the legal chellenge fails) as the bad weather will soon set in
claire:-}

[JonHare]

http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/11th-hour-bid-to-block.4452471.jp

Got in and saw the paper. Now there's a surprise. It always is her name that is cropping up. I can see her case being thrown out, I hope Able UK will press her for damages and lost revenue and allow the good people of Hartlepool who in the over riding majority supports Able's plans. Many residents who are wanting jobs that are going to be available. Also a consideration is that this is welcomed, especially in the current econnomic climate. Hartlepool can become a Gold town with work like this being pumped into the local economy.

There are many asbestos removal persons trained that live in Hartlepool and that have to travel to the London area, just to find work. I have met many of them and they are saying that they look forward to working at Able when they go ahead.
So as for saying that there are no trained people to do the work, that is a load of rubbish, many are having to spend there earnings just to travel round for work in the field.

Honestly, I cannot see for any reason why the need to put blocks in the way  on the work pushing forward. Im just sick to death of these un-informed people who think they know what they are talking about.

[JonHare]

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-life-features/capital-of-culture/2008/09/01/liverpool-prepares-to-greet-a-royal-navy-armada-64375-21647817/2/

Found this link on another thread. I think HMS Intrepid was one of the ships Able UK, were wanting to land for TERRC's Graythorpe Yard. But due to constant set back, I think in the end that the contract for her scrapping went elsewhere. It is a shame as TERRC would of seen a dozen or so ships totally dismantled and recycled by now, with

[C]

They should bring the clem up here asap.

[Guest]

Miya wrote:
They should bring the clem up here asap.

Hi Miya

Yes its a real shame for Able UK Ltd who must have thought they had dealt with and won all of the environmental challenges that have been raised. It must be costing them a fortune to represent themselves in the Courts.

Regards

[JonHare]

http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/Able-boss-blasts-Le-Clem.4457633.jp

Able UK's response in the Hartlepool Mail.

[JonHare]

Miya wrote:
They should bring the clem up here asap.

I couldn't agree more.

As some are able to sense that these un-informed protesters are really making my blood boil.

Just across the river at Wilton there are plans for the Northern Gateway Container Terminal (NGCT) & an Oil Refinery, capable of processing 200,000 barrels of oil aday.

These projects will mean the Tees being dredged deeper, for larger and loads more ships to enter dock. These could have more of an Environmental impact than what Able UK's TERRC plans would have. But I have not heard one wisper of protest about the Wilton plans. Are they that focused on trying to derail Able UK's TERRC facility, that they are missing on what is going on the other side of the Tees, which could pose more of an impact than TERRC. I think Double Standards are being involved.

Most people who know me, knows how passionate I am about Hartlepool. In fact some have said that I was the one that helped clinch the Tall Ships Race for Hartlepool.
I am an avid supporter for Able UK's TERRC facility, NGCT & the Oil Refinery. As I know how much they will impact on the economies of the area. Which will reap the benefits for years to come.

Also I know that with these projects that the Environment will be better catered for. By means of Company policies with regards to the environment, also the funding that will come from these companies to support local and regional wildlife & environmental projects. So in essence the Natural Environment will benefit hugely as a consequence (I really don't want to use that word. But a word that is similar but as a gain not a pain like consequence sounds, if ya catch my drift) to the setting up of these industries. Hope you can read what I am trying to put across, even though some of the words are a little confusing.

Just is the passion that I have, it is sometimes confusing to try and find the right words to say what I mean.  :lol:  :lol:

[JonHare]

Able UK, Clem to stay in France untill her future is decided.

Hartlepool Mail
http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/Court-bid-to-sink-Le.4464459.jp

[C]

Hi JonHare,                                                                                                I understand where you are coming from.  Alot of people (in the hundreds) would gain jobs at the Terrc site,i just wish that they would let Able Uk get on and dismantle the ships (including "Le Clem").     Kennedy goes on about there being a high cancer rate in Hartlepool,if it is already high then how much higher is "Le Clem" going to make it be,would it be the safe removing of the Asbestos or may be any PCB's that the ships hold or maybe the safe disposal of these so called toxin's that would make the cancer rate higher.             What about the Power station or may of the other chemical plants could they not be more of threat to the enviroment? at least Able Uk don't polute the skies.           There is so much more that grates my cheese, but i think i have said enough.     Regards Miya

[JonHare]

Hi Miya,
Thanks for understanding where I was coming from.
With reference to her comments.

The main reasons for the high cancer rates in Hartlepool and the North East are.

1) Smoking and passive smoking.
2) Bygone Industries- where there wasn't any health controls over the substances. Including buildings built eg schools etc with hazardous substances.
3) Sun and Sunbeds
4) Unhealthy lifestyles.

These are the main reasons. With smoking and Bygone Industries affecting the over 40s heavily.
Now the main points for cancer rates in the under 40s are mainly down to Smoking and Sun/ Sunbeds.
I assume reasons along these lines are out there somewhere.

I can't see how the asbestos being landfilled while have an impact to cancer rates. Especially when it will be taken off and stored in as safe an environment as could be asked.

[JonHare]

Had a drive past TERRC earlier. I have noticed a huge warehouse has now been put up. Also I have noticed an addition to the fleet of vessels there. What looks to be like an ex RNLI Lifeboat or Pilot vessel is high and dry on the yard. I was driving so wasn't able to see clearly what it was, but from a quick glance it did not have any markings on her. Will try to get a drive past for a better luck sometime this week/ weekend.

Also a large trench has been dug, wether this is foundations for another building or railway lines or equiptment I don't know. But the Yard is certainly coming on strong now.

[JonHare]

Hartlepool Mail
http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/Driver-injured-in-crane-accident.4497077.jp

Crane Driver injured in accident at TERRC. It involved a crane doing pile driving. The picture shown doesn't show it clearly. But the crane involved is just below the scoop of the digger, on its side.