Jeremy Hunt MP has provided an update into the Bramley Fuel Leak where he would like to thank everyone for their patience after what has been a very trying few months. He says that his community meeting on the 13th February confirmed the strength of feeling on the matter, which he believes contributed towards Asda’s decision to close the Bramley site for 8-10 weeks. Jeremy Hunt and Waverley Borough Councillor Jane Austin followed up with Asda, EPS (the petrol station's environmental consultant) and the EA and is now able to provide an update.
Jeremy Hunt has said: “It is now confirmed that there has been a major leak of petrol from the petrol station, estimated at 2,000 plus litres.”
Asda has confirmed to Jeremy Hunt MP and Councillor Jane Austin that they have seen reference to fuel in the ground from September 2021 via a draft geo-environmental report which mentioned 400mm of petrol on the groundwater in September 2021. This report was conducted by the Landlord not by Co—op who signed as tenant around that time.
The petrol is sitting under the forecourt and is travelling from the petrol station downhill, using the drainage systems as a conduit. Fuel is exiting into the village stream and contaminating it. Mr Hunt has said that “we still don’t know how the fuel leaked into the ground, but it is now clear that for many months Bramley residents were not listened to- they were repeatedly told that the smell was due to a failed tank on the forecourt or run-off from the road.”
He said that it is a scandal that has “taken 2 ¼ years for us to reach this point.”
Asda employed remediation (clean-up) consultants EPS last year and have been complying with their environmental responsibilities. EPS have put in place a comprehensive clean-up programme. The first phase of this was in January when extensive work was undertaken on the High Street by Thames Water to install an impermeable barrier water pipe so two houses no longer have a fuel-contaminated water supply.
The petrol station forecourt was closed on 12th February 24 in order to install equipment for the clean-up. EPS took this opportunity to undertake testing on the tanks and fuel lines - a pipe fuel line leading to Tank 2 failed the pressure test. This same pipe was tested a year ago and passed.
Following confirmation of this failed test Asda has now requested further analysis of the 'test and fuel' data held by the testing company, GVR. Asda say "This further analysis will identify if there are any losses between the point of discharge from the petrol tanker into the underground fuel tank. By analysing the volume discharge by the tanker versus the detected volume change in the tank, GVR can detect any losses during the fuels passage through the inlet pipe" (i.e. the pipe which failed the test). "GVR commenced this analysis last Monday."
The Asda forecourt and store are closed for 8-10 weeks to enable extensive work to be completed.
In addition to the planned remediation (clean up) work, there will be major forecourt refurbishment and renewal work undertaken. This includes replacement of all pipework, inspection and potential replacement of all pumps, tanks cleaned and checked for defects and replacement of gauges, chambers and valves. Jeremy Hunt has said that the “clean up element of the work should remove the majority of the contamination on the petrol site itself and I believe Bramley residents will be relieved to learn of the additional work Asda is undertaking.”
Jeremy Hunt mentioned that “we know there is sadly no quick fix to getting this fuel out of the ground - it may take months / over a year to be finally resolved.”
He further added that as we turn to the investigation and potential prosecution by the Environment Agency, he has received a response which can be found here.
The EA said "we continue to progress our investigation into the significant groundwater pollution incident at Bramley which is examining potential offences under the Environmental Permitting Regulations."
It is important to note that under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 the responsibility for cleaning up contaminated land is generally the person who caused the contamination. However, if the individuals or companies that caused it cannot be identified, then the responsibility will fall to the current owner or occupier of the land.
Jeremy Hunt is arranging a follow up with senior management at the EA and the MD of ASDA Express and has said that he will of course keep constituents updated on any developments.
