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Shrewsbury gas works could be sped up in explosion’s wake
Thursday 27th January 2011, 10:46AM GMT.
Plans to replace old cast-iron gas mains in Shrewsbury could be hurried along as a result of last year’s major explosion in the town, it was revealed today.
Health and Safety Executive investigating inspector Nicola Wade today said the incident would feed into a database used by pipe operators to decide which mains to replace first.
A 30-year programme is currently in place to decommission the pipes and replace them with new polyethylene ones.
But Ms Wade said: “There is a risk model as part of the major mains replacement programme. The Shrewsbury explosion will definitely be included.
“Any incidents that happen, obviously one on the scale of Shrewsbury, but also smaller incidents and leaks on the network, can be factored in so the industry can prioritise in replacing these more quickly and use the information that has been obtained.”
The explosion left 12 people injured, five seriously, including panto star Kiley McDonnell, flatmates Scott Godbold, Sarah Pearse and Sam Devine-Turner and their friend Annie Davies.
Mr McDonnell, who lives in London, has been told he will never walk again.
The HSE said on Tuesday that no-one would be held responsible for the blast after it revealed no evidence of any breach of safety legislation.
Ms Wade said it had been a long and complex probe and officers had established that the most likely cause of the blast was gas escaping from a fractured main and igniting.
However, families of victims said earlier this week that they were unhappy with the HSE’s conclusion .
They are seeking legal advice with a view to making civil compensation claims.
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Is this a tacit admission that cast iron pipework is potentially dangerous? If so, the potential liability nationwide must be enormous.
The major shareholders of National Grid must be greatly relieved at the overall vindication of the company by the HSE.
If National Grid had been found wanting, the compensation bill for the Shrewsbury blast could have been huge.
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