Safety measures plan after Wem tyre depot fires

Tough new safety measures will be introduced at a tyre depot in Wem in the wake of three major fires on the site in the last 17 months, which sparked health concerns among residents.

Staff at Kingpin Tyres, Wem Industrial Estate, have agreed to develop a safer set of standards for storing the rubber stacks and make the piles smaller to allow firefighters easier access if another fire does break out.

The news follows a private meeting between Shropshire Council and other agencies on Monday night, which was arranged following the latest fire at the site in July, involving about 20 to 30 tonnes of shredded rubber.

Kingpin bosses say they did not attend the meeting as they were not asked. The fires caused concern for residents about smoke blowing over their homes, with one person threatening to leave the town.

Experts monitored the air quality in the town after the latest blaze and were satisfied the smoke posed no long-term health risks. A public meeting is due to be arranged in the near future to update residents of the work that has been carried out.

Kingpin's Rikki Proudlove said: "We have always worked closely with all authorities to make sure we comply with their regulations."

Councillor Mike Owen, cabinet member for economy and waste, said: "It's important that we take action whenever we can to improve public safety and I am pleased the company have cooperated with the relevant agencies in this case."

Chris Mellings, member for Wem, said: "The work being undertaken by the council with the company is a big step forward. Hopefully it will go a long way to reassuring us . . . that all risks are being . . . managed to prevent such incidents in the future."

By James Pugh