The Environment Agency has announced that Tata Steel UK Ltd has agreed to pay £73,000 towards improving the Bottesford Beck, following a pollution incident near Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire.
Tata Steel UK Ltd (TSUK) paid the money to the Humber Nature Partnership – an organisation that delivers projects resulting in environmental, economic and community benefits.
The payment follows a pollution incident on the Bottesford Beck – on 22 May 2015, following a call from the TSUK Environment Manager, Environment Agency officers found a heavy, red-coloured lubricating oil on Seraphim lagoon, the Bottesford Beck and in wetland channels of Ashby Ville Local Nature Reserve.
Following investigations, it appeared that the oil overflowed from an industrial bulk container, as oil was being drained from a lubricating tank on the TSUK site.
Under the terms of the Enforcement Undertaking (EU), Tata Steel UK Ltd accepted an obligation to make the donation of £73,000 to the Humber Nature Partnership. Final plans for how the money will be used are still underway, but tree planting, the creation of wildlife ponds – and ground works for an outdoor classroom that could be used by local schools are some schemes under consideration.
As part of the EU, Tata Steel UK Ltd has also agreed to take action to ensure that a similar incident does not recur and has paid the costs of the Environment Agency.
Environment officer with the Environment Agency, Elizabeth Cooper, said:
“We work hard to protect people and the environment – in this case, we considered that the Enforcement Undertaking was an appropriate way to sanction the company while creating a benefit for the local environment.
“Serious pollution can have devastating effects on rivers, fields and wildlife –
along with prosecutions, the Environment Agency use enforcement notices, stop notices and civil sanctions to either improve performance or stop sites from operating.
“It is making better use of the wide range of measures that are available to bring sites back into compliance as quickly as possible.”
The Environment Agency’s use of civil sanctions is in line with recent legislation extending their availability for more offences – and the agency says that civil sanctions such as these can be a proportionate and cost-effective way for businesses to make amends for less serious environmental offences.
The Enforcement Undertaking requires Tata Steel UK Ltd to make a donation of £73,000 to the Humber Nature Partnership, implement pollution prevention and restoration works, review refresher training for staff, undertake site improvement works and pay Environment Agency costs.
Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors – Environmental Offences
Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise companies and individuals at any stage of an environmental offence, including charges relating to polluting watercourses, fisheries offences, fly tipping, waste carrier offences, failing to manage hazardous waste, air pollution, noise pollution, or misuse of permitted land.
There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and in most major cities – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can advise at the start of an investigation by the Environment Agency or local authority and before charges are brought.
For expert legal advice on all environmental offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.