Latest news with #TonyCox
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Calls for probe into 10,000 new homes plan
Councillors have called for an investigation after plans were revealed for 10,000 new homes on green belt land. Southend and Rochford councils in Essex submitted a joint "expression of interest" to the government for the development of land off Bournes Green Chase, in Shoebury, to the River Roach, in Rochford. However, local Reform UK and Conservative councillors have demanded a debate of the scheme at an extraordinary council meeting. Leader of Labour-led Southend on Sea City Council, Daniel Cowan, said the councils were "happy" to have the debate. The expression of interest was submitted to the government's New Towns Taskforce, which has been asked to make recommendations to ministers about the location and delivery of new towns. Councils were invited to submit proposals that were "regionally significant for both housing numbers and economic growth" in November and December. Southend and Rochford's joint submission, with landowners and developer Bellway, said it would be an "infrastructure-led" scheme which could begin as early as 2027, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The councils said the proposal was already being considered as part of the Local Plan process. They added that a similar submission was made by them, as well as Essex County Council, for the area to be considered a new Garden Community in 2018. However, they noted "significant infrastructure would also be needed" if the proposal went ahead. Reform UK councillors, Tony Cox and Darryl Jones along with Conservatives James Moyies and Daniel Nelson and Independent Stephen Aylen, said the proposal was made without their knowledge leading to their demand for a debate. They also put forward a motion asking the chief executive to carry out a full investigation into the process. Cox, leader of Southend Reform UK, said he was "horrified" by the proposal. Moyies, councillor for West Shoebury Ward, added he was "shocked and appalled" and the "consequences" of the proposal could be "catastrophic". Cowan said Labour were happy for a debate on the plans arguing that "Southend needs infrastructure". He hit back at the Reform UK and Conservative councillors and added: "They will claim they are protecting our city, yet they want us to lose the only leverage we have to demand new infrastructure." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Detailed plan for homes on farmland expected soon Essex housing target increases by 37% Plan for new flats approved despite parking fears Southend on Sea Council Rochford District Council
BBC News
06-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Southend and Rochford 10,000 new home plan sparks calls for probe
Councillors have called for an investigation after plans were revealed for 10,000 new homes on green belt and Rochford councils in Essex submitted a joint "expression of interest" to the government for the development of land off Bournes Green Chase, in Shoebury, to the River Roach, in local Reform UK and Conservative councillors have demanded a debate of the scheme at an extraordinary council of Labour-led Southend on Sea City Council, Daniel Cowan, said the councils were "happy" to have the debate. The expression of interest was submitted to the government's New Towns Taskforce, which has been asked to make recommendations to ministers about the location and delivery of new were invited to submit proposals that were "regionally significant for both housing numbers and economic growth" in November and and Rochford's joint submission, with landowners and developer Bellway, said it would be an "infrastructure-led" scheme which could begin as early as 2027, reports the Local Democracy Reporting councils said the proposal was already being considered as part of the Local Plan process. They added that a similar submission was made by them, as well as Essex County Council, for the area to be considered a new Garden Community in they noted "significant infrastructure would also be needed" if the proposal went ahead. Reform UK councillors, Tony Cox and Darryl Jones along with Conservatives James Moyies and Daniel Nelson and Independent Stephen Aylen, said the proposal was made without their knowledge leading to their demand for a also put forward a motion asking the chief executive to carry out a full investigation into the leader of Southend Reform UK, said he was "horrified" by the councillor for West Shoebury Ward, added he was "shocked and appalled" and the "consequences" of the proposal could be "catastrophic".Cowan said Labour were happy for a debate on the plans arguing that "Southend needs infrastructure".He hit back at the Reform UK and Conservative councillors and added: "They will claim they are protecting our city, yet they want us to lose the only leverage we have to demand new infrastructure." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Takeaways from AP's story on safety concerns about Shell's fleet of oil production ships
Oil major Shell operates a fleet of giant ships permanently moored over oilfields around the world. The ships receive oil pumped from wells beneath the seabed and transfer it to tankers. Reporting by The Associated Press, based on internal documents, raises questions about the safety of these ships. Here's what to know: The Bonga oil spill What can go wrong was illustrated off Nigeria in 2011, when a pipe connecting Shell's production ship Bonga to a tanker sprang a leak. The spill wasn't noticed for more than four hours, and 40,000 barrels of oil spilled into the Atlantic. An oil slick spread over 685 square miles (1,776 square kilometers) of water, an area twice the size of New York City. A $3.6 billion fine was the result, though it's still being appealed today. Restricted files An internal review of Shell's oil production ship fleet in 2022 shows that, 11 years after the Bonga spill, problems remained. The vessel had 'continuously deficient' firefighting, lifesaving and oil transfer systems. Oil transfer systems were what failed in the 2011 spill. Tony Cox, an offshore oil accident investigator, said this was concerning given transfers are a 'recognized hazard' and a 'well known" potential spillage point. The report described 'recurring incidents' on other ships, noting 'severe corrosion' in a vessel off Brazil. Two workers were left 'with moderate to severe burns' after an accident in U.S. waters. There were 'degraded facilities' on the gas-producing ship Prelude, anchored off Australia, where fire broke out in 2021. Overall, it blamed a 'lack of clear and established standards and processes.' Worker concerns Surveys of Shell workers beginning in 2012 also raised concerns. The surveys, obtained by AP, measured employees' perception of performance in 10 areas, including maintenance and safety awareness. Between 2012 and 2021, employees' views of company performance dropped in nine categories. In 2021, some 59% of workers on Bonga thought maintenance needed improvement. More than half worried about the resources and expertise onboard. Shell's response The company said accidents aboard the Bonga fell from an average of one per year to zero after 2018, and spills by 90% since 2020. Safety experts look after Prelude, Shell said, while the Brazilian ship was decommissioned. The U.S. accident isn't reflective of the company's culture, the company said. The company also noted more than 90% of those surveyed in 2021 felt positive about another category measured, the Bonga's safety processes. Rich Howe, Shell's vice president for deep water operations, said a 'relentless focus on safety' was 'deeply ingrained in the Shell culture' and was 'widely recognized.' 'These documents are evidence of that culture,' he said, speaking about the internal report and surveys. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Associated Press
03-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Takeaways from AP's story on safety concerns about Shell's fleet of oil production ships
Oil major Shell operates a fleet of giant ships permanently moored over oilfields around the world. The ships receive oil pumped from wells beneath the seabed and transfer it to tankers. Reporting by The Associated Press, based on internal documents, raises questions about the safety of these ships. Here's what to know: The Bonga oil spill What can go wrong was illustrated off Nigeria in 2011, when a pipe connecting Shell's production ship Bonga to a tanker sprang a leak. The spill wasn't noticed for more than four hours, and 40,000 barrels of oil spilled into the Atlantic. An oil slick spread over 685 square miles (1,776 square kilometers) of water, an area twice the size of New York City. A $3.6 billion fine was the result, though it's still being appealed today. Restricted files An internal review of Shell's oil production ship fleet in 2022 shows that, 11 years after the Bonga spill, problems remained. The vessel had 'continuously deficient' firefighting, lifesaving and oil transfer systems. Oil transfer systems were what failed in the 2011 spill. Tony Cox, an offshore oil accident investigator, said this was concerning given transfers are a 'recognized hazard' and a 'well known' potential spillage point. The report described 'recurring incidents' on other ships, noting 'severe corrosion' in a vessel off Brazil. Two workers were left 'with moderate to severe burns' after an accident in U.S. waters. There were 'degraded facilities' on the gas-producing ship Prelude, anchored off Australia, where fire broke out in 2021. Overall, it blamed a 'lack of clear and established standards and processes.' Worker concerns Surveys of Shell workers beginning in 2012 also raised concerns. The surveys, obtained by AP, measured employees' perception of performance in 10 areas, including maintenance and safety awareness. Between 2012 and 2021, employees' views of company performance dropped in nine categories. In 2021, some 59% of workers on Bonga thought maintenance needed improvement. More than half worried about the resources and expertise onboard. Shell's response The company said accidents aboard the Bonga fell from an average of one per year to zero after 2018, and spills by 90% since 2020. Safety experts look after Prelude, Shell said, while the Brazilian ship was decommissioned. The U.S. accident isn't reflective of the company's culture, the company said. The company also noted more than 90% of those surveyed in 2021 felt positive about another category measured, the Bonga's safety processes. Rich Howe, Shell's vice president for deep water operations, said a 'relentless focus on safety' was 'deeply ingrained in the Shell culture' and was 'widely recognized.' 'These documents are evidence of that culture,' he said, speaking about the internal report and surveys. ___
