Build Scotland Construction Directory
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Share this page
Construction News
02/07/2008

Public Inquiry Launched Into Stockline Disaster

A public inquiry into a tragic factory blast which killed nine people is beginning.

The premises, operated by ICL Plastics Ltd, collapsed on 11 May, 2004 followng the escape of liquefied petroleum gas from old pipework.

Thirty-three people were also injured in the blast and had to be pulled from the rubble by rescue crews.

Last August ICL Plastics and ICL Tech were fined £400,000 at the High Court in Glasgow after admitting health and safety breaches.

The inquiry, to be held in the Maryhill Community Hall, will be chaired by senior Scottish judge Lord Gill.

It is expected that that the inquiry, which will look into the facts and provide recommendations, will last for 12 weeks.

Lord Gill told BBC Scotland that the inquiry would allow for a "determined pursuit of the truth".

-- Advertisement --
NorthernAsbestosServicesLtd

"It's not at all clear that everything came out at the prosecution and there's a very good reason for that."

Lord Gill added that "all prosecution was concerned with" were the "facts relating to the commission of those offences".

Sheena O'Brien, who was badly injured in the explosion and lost her father said in a statement to be used in the case that she "wanted to know what happened that day" and be able to "obtain closure" for herself, her colleagues and family.

However, survivor Linda Kinnon has said holding the inquiry so close to the site was "insensitive".

"I don't know what people will get from this, going back through the whole accident, the trauma and everything again," she said.

The first phase of the inquiry is expected to last more than three weeks.

Scotland senior law officer, Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini has said "it was hoped the inquiry would prevent another tragedy like Stockline occurring".

Last year, Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond said that there was "widespread support" for the "fullest possible" inquiry into the Stockline factory blast.

Advocate Ian Buist Carmichael, a leading authority on public inquires, has said that the hearing is "necessary" as it would "have a wider scope than a standard fatal accident inquiry".

"The one thing that does come out of this business is should a factory of this kind be situated in a residential area?" he said.

It was uncovered in an earlier hearing in Glasgow that it would have cost just £405 to replace the pipe which corroded and caused the blast.

(DS)

Latest Construction News

03/05/2024

The Wheatley Group has been given planning permission from Glasgow City Council to convert the 1930s B-listed Bellgrove Hotel into 14 modern, energy-efficient and affordable flats – eight of which will be wheelchair accessible. Permission has also been granted for a further 56 flats to be built on ...
03/05/2024

Renewable energy leader Drax has announced that it will invest £80 million in a major refurbishment of its iconic 'Hollow Mountain' Cruachan pumped storage hydro power station in Scotland. Global hydropower technology supplier ANDRITZ has been appointed as the main contractor for the Cruachan ...
03/05/2024

Clark Contracts has welcomed the news that the former Dalmarnock Purifier Studios, now branded as EastWorks, has been awarded the Refurbished/Recycled workplace award at the prestigious British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards 2024. The 120-year-old former purifier shed, owned by Clyde Gateway, ...
03/05/2024

Stirling Council has launched a public consultation to shape future developments at the Viewforth and Burghmuir Road areas. The new draft framework and planning brief for Viewforth and Burghmuir covers a key area of the city centre that includes the Viewforth site, existing council buildings, ...
03/05/2024

Morrison Community Care (CCG) Holdco has secured planning permission or its latest project in South Queensferry, marking its third consecutive success. Forming part of a wider 44-hectare masterplan that will include 980 new homes, a primary school and commercial premises on Builyon Road, south of ...
03/05/2024

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have carried out a review of the last two years of the Community Regeneration Funding Programme, ahead of agreeing changes to how the 2024/25 programme will be delivered. Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "Following a successful two ...
03/05/2024

Perth and Kinross Council and partners are set to progress community-led projects aimed at revitalising homes and improving rural transport links, following a winning bid for Innovate UK Pathfinder Places funding. Funding of £150,000 has been secured following a successful Phase 1 Pathfinder ...
03/05/2024

SGN engineers working on the H100 Fife project have helped support the Methilhill Community Children's Initiative (MCCI) by building an eco-toilet in the charity's learning garden. MCCI provides a safe and engaging space for local children to participate in various outdoor activities, including ...
03/05/2024

SNIPEF, the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation, has published a draft of its 2024 election manifesto detailing six strategic policy proposals designed to support its members and the broader plumbing and heating profession. Once finalised, the manifesto will be central to ...
03/05/2024

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have published their 2024-25 Annual Operating Plan, detailing how they will protect and improve Scotland's environment over the next 12 months. The publication follows the launch of a new Corporate Plan at the end of March, which set out the ...
Morris & Spottiswood LtdRBT Underfloor LimitedMaterials Market LtdToner Damp Proofing SuppliesNo HydroBurnside Plant Hire LtdKattrak International Hidromek SalesScotdeck LtdThe Big Block Co LtdSafe Access (Highland) Ltd.
Terms and Conditions
2024/05/04 15:07:40