Scrapyard relocated due to essential maintenance works on the old energy from waste chimney

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A recent condition survey of the old Energy from Waste (EFW) chimney at Bellozanne has highlighted some essential maintenance works that need to be carried out as soon as possible. The chimney is not in danger of collapse but the steel flues on the very top of the chimney and some loose concrete on the outside of the chimney need to be removed. Transport and Technical Services (TTS) has arranged for a specialist chimney company from the UK to attend site and commence these works this week.

Works on the chimney are expected to take three to four weeks and will be carried out by erecting a scaffold at the top of the chimney to allow works to be carried out safely.

At present, the Island’s scrap metal recovery operation, run by TTS’s contractor Hunts Jersey Ltd, (HJL) is operating from the base of the chimney. This is a temporary location until the scrap operation moves to a new purpose built location at the end of 2014. Plans are progressing for this move but no firm location has been decided on at present.

As HJL are operating below the chimney they need to be moved to another site to allow the chimney repairs to be carried out. A number of sites have been considered with the chosen site being the old scrapyard used by TTS’s previous scrap contractor, Picot and Rouille, at the top end of Bellozanne valley.

From 7am today the scrap operation at the old EFW site will permanently close with all activities moving to the new location. It will take four to six weeks for HJL to fully reestablish themselves at the new location and for that reason there will be some changes to the current procedures for receiving scrap. At present, HJL pay a fee for any scrap that arrives at the old EFW site. However, until new weighbridges are set up at the new location it will not be possible to weigh and pay for incoming scrap. All scrap which is delivered in this re-establishment period will be accepted and processed but no payment will made until the new weighbridges are in place.

TTS Minister Kevin Lewis said, “I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to businesses or members of the public but in this instance safety is paramount and my Department is left with no alternative but to relocate the scrap operation and to carry out the essential safety repairs to the chimney. I am very grateful for the cooperation of Hunts Jersey in this essential move“.

HJL will now stay at the new scrapyard relocation until they move to their new purpose built site at the end of 2014.

Once HJL has relocated to their new location the essential maintenance works to the chimney will be carried out. Full demolition of the chimney will commence in the Spring of 2014 with the chimney completely demolished by the end of 2014.