KIRKCALDY and Cowdenbeath MP Lesley Laird has sought assurances that planned flaring at Mossmorran this week will be minimised.

Shell is set to start preparations for a ‘turnaround’ at the plant, which will see production reduced over a few weeks to allow planned maintenance work to go ahead.

The operation will result in 48 hours of intermittent elevated flaring starting around 4pm today (Tuesday) and again for a period of 24 hours when a module is restarted on Friday, September 14.

“While I appreciate that it’s not always in the control of the plant to decide when to time these operations, it is still disappointing that this maintenance programme coincides with children returning to school," said Ms Laird.

“Given the level of disruption that elevated flaring causes, especially at night, to say I’m concerned is something of an understatement.

“I’ve been in contact with Shell to express my concerns and the company has assured me that it will try and minimise elevated flaring overnight.

“In addition, I’ve been told that when elevated flaring does occur, the plant will aim to use less visible ground flares and limit use of the flare stack.

“Shell do not anticipate the level of flaring this week will be anywhere near the scale of what we witnessed last June, and I am sure everyone sincerely hopes that will be the case.”