Green Lanes allotments
M5 crash tragedy leads to bonfire ban in Hatfield
By Chris Lennon, News editor
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
11:51 AM
ALLOTMENT holders in Hatfield are to be banned from having bonfires on their plots – to avoid causing a similar motorway crash to the M5 pile-up which claimed the lives of seven people.
Green Lanes allotmentsHatfield Town Council has decided to change its policy governing the allotments in Green Lanes, which lie close to the A1(M) motorway.
Seven people were killed and more than 50 injured in a horrific pile-up on the M5 at Taunton, Somerset, on November 4 last year.
Police are still investigating the cause of the disaster – but fog and thick smoke drifting across the motorway from a fireworks display are thought to be a contributory factor.
While the threat of something similar happening here may seem far-fetched, the town council has decided it can take no risks, on insurance grounds.
People living near the site had also complained about the nuisance caused by bonfires down the years.
Cllr Stan Laver-Walton chaired the meeting of the council’s leisure committee which discussed the matter at a meeting last month.
He said a number of town and parish councils up and down the country were reviewing their policies following the M5 crash.
“It’s a bit OTT maybe, but it’s not our personal decision. It’s one of those agenda items that has come about because of public liability insurance,” he said
“If something causes public annoyance, we as the owners of the allotments are liable – not the allotment holders.”
Cllr Laver-Walton added: “The problem is we’ve had more than one or two complaints over the years about the bonfires on the allotments.
“It’s annoying to people living not only in Green Lanes, but smoke drifts over the motorway to the Birchwood and Chelwood Avenue areas, too.”
Cllr Laver-Walton added: “We’re trying not to do a knee-jerk reaction but pre-empting anything that’s likely to cost us money.”
Before bonfires are banned, the council is investigating how much it will cost to provide individual compost bins on each allotment plot.
When this is done and bins provided, plot-holders will be encouraged to use them – and remove any non-compostable waste to a suitable alternative site, rather than burn it.
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5 comments
I am sure the investigation into the M5 crash will show that it was thick smoke, on account of the fireworks display. I am pretty sure a small bonfire on an allotment won't give off anywhere near the same levels of smoke. However, I am sure there are other benefits of cutting down on bonfires from a general pollution point of view.
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jonmorris
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Mr Archer: FIRSTLY the precise causes of the M5 incident are still being examined BUT numerous witnesses are on public record as reporting encountering a 'smoke bank' so thick as to reduce visibility down to a matter of feet - to say the M5 incident was down to 'bad driving' is both premature, in the light of evidence already in the public domain most likely incorrect AND I think deeply offensive to those who diedwere injured. SECONDLY, do not be so naive.... you can see the Traffic Officers BECAUSE they operate in fully marked vehicles!!!! What you clearly are not seeing (either through luck or good driving) are the numerous unmarked vehicles being operated by the 'Traffic Police' these days - trust me they are indeed out there and patrolling but the first you would know about it would be when you do something wrong!!
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Epsylon
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The multi accident was tragic but it was caused by bad driving and it's about time the authorities resumed Motorway driving to see what good drivers have to put up with - The plastic Highways Agency patrol officers have no powersauthority or common sense to deal with Motorway incidents - Government needs to put the police back in charge and highly visable
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Dean Archer
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
This is a good move and certainly common sense so Cllr Laver-Walton needs to stop being apologetic and frankly 'wake up and smell the coffee'! [As does the WHT judging by the tone of this article] I actually find it offensive heshe is quoted as saying "It's a bit OTT" and the WHT indicate this is all about the 'insurance risk'!!!! So it's a bit OTT to stop bonfires that have already raised complaints from local residents AND which drift over a major motorway?!!! It's just 'daft old insurance' eh WHT?!! Hmmmmmm - so what would it actually take to convince you otherwise...... a multi-vehicle pile up on the A1, multiple dead and injured etc etc. As a commercial driver I can tell you first hand how dangerous smoke drifting across any road but especially a dual carriagewaymotorway really is - losing visibility without notice or warning especially at this time of year with freezing conditions is one of your worst nightmares. I sincerely hope recycling options will be provided but most of all CONGRATULATE THE DECISION.
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Epsylon
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Knee... Jerk...
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JezzaC
Tuesday, February 7, 2012