UK environmental enforcement news

Diesel spill in Warrington; fine over bromine leak in Wales; fraud involving the Landfill Tax Environmental Bodies Credit Scheme; oil spill averted thanks to public attention; and more.


Several hundred litres of diesel oil from the depot of BOC Distribution Services Ltd contaminated 2.5km of the Sankey Brook in Warrington. The company has been fined 10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,473.13.

The Associated Octel Company Ltd has been ordered to pay more than £250,000 in fines and costs at Mold Crown Court after pleading guilty to four offences relating to an escape of bromine to atmosphere from its Amlwch plant in Wales. The company was fined £160,000 for health and safety infringements, £10,000 respectively for failing to employ BATNEEC and inform the Environment Agency, and was ordered to pay £40,000 costs to both the Agency and Health & Safety Executive.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has arrested seven people in connection with an alleged £5.1m fraud enquiry. The allegation involves abuse of the landfill tax Environmental Bodies Credit Scheme. All seven have been released on police bail while enquiries continue, to return to custody on 8 December.

Environment Agency Wales has served an enforcement notice on HHwardle (Metals) Ltd of Fenn’s Bank near Whitchurch, Shropshire which requires the company to remedy defects in the operation of its foundry and in the mechanical condition of two of its furnaces.

The vigilance of a member of the public helped prevent 200 gallons of oil flowing into Pendle Water, Barrowford last October. Accrington-based Connolly Demolition Ltd was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £1,239.31 prosecution costs after it was discovered that oil tanks had not been emptied before demolition started on the site.

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