'Fireball' festival fears at T in the Park
Matt Meade • Published 23 Mar 2012 08:30
9 Comments
HEALTH and safety chiefs have warned of a major hazard at T in the Park's Balado site which could see a huge explosion leading to a 220 metre "fireball".
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) say thousands of lives would be at risk if a pipeline ruptured during Scotland's biggest music festival.
While acknowledging chances of a rupture are small, the public safety body is pushing for organisers DF Concerts to find an alternative location for the festival.
However, that won't happen any time soon, as T in the Park is to remain at Balado until at least 2013.
Each year, more than 80,000 music fans descend on the site for the festival, headlined this year by The Stone Roses and Snow Patrol.
In a letter to Perth and Kinross Council, Peter Baker, head of the chemical industries division of the HSE's Hazard Installations Directorate, said it wouldn't pass the matter to the Scottish Government because there are plans to realign the site to avoid the pipeline.
He said, "The hazard to the public attending the T In The Park festival is created by the BP Forties major hazard pipeline.
"Hazard scenarios which may occur if the pipeline fails include: a fireball up to 220m in diameter, a burning jet up to 370m long and a burning cloud which could extend up to 680m.
"The assessment found that the risk to the population is such that the development is grossly incompatible with the BP Forties Crude Oil pipeline.
"The maximum number of people that could be killed by the worst-case event scenario is 44,500.
"HSE is of the view that this application raises safety issues of substantial concern."
The comments come following an application by organisers DF Concerts to hold the festival in 2012 and 2013.
A spokesperson for DF Concerts said, "T in the Park is, and always has been, a safe event. It has passed every inspection by the authorities each year and continues to do so.
"It is important to note that the pipeline also runs down a significant length of Scotland under public buildings such as schools and Aberdeen Airport."
She added, "T in the Park has been in Kinross for 14 years and we are happy here.
"We will simply be redesigning the site in 2014, as we often do, which will take in some brand new fields in the same area.
"This will mean that the fields available to us are different but it's unlikely that the public will notice much of a change in the site's orientation - most of the fields used in the last few years are completely different to the fields utilised in the early years at Balado.
"We have a fantastic relationship with the local community and Perth & Kinross Council and we intend to remain in Kinross for the foreseeable future to give 85,000 people a fantastic weekend of music each year."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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davie1
26 posts
Mar 23, 10:55
Report commentWhat absolute drivel! where do these people come from! If the pipeline is so dangerous why does it pass near to so many centre's of population as it winds it way through Scotland? This exemplifies exactly why the H and S zealots should be locked up!
Also the Steam in the park festival also at Balado was cancelled for the same reason last year - they have now moved this years event to Scone losing the local income from that event - will they be happy when no events are allowed?
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Yes 32
No 1
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******
Mar 23, 12:58
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
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jocknroll
85 posts
Mar 24, 10:32
Report commentI have to say this is like something The Daily Mail would come up with. Alarmist, sensationalist, call it what you will, I thought the Press were better than this. Then again, maybe it's been a slow news week. Basing a story on 'coulds', 'ifs' and 'maybes' strikes me as a bit desperate.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 0
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DrewCarnegie
65 posts
Mar 24, 19:08
Report commentDavie1, the pipeline is dangerous, surely you have to legislate for a reveler at T in the park, digging a big whole and attempting to puncture the pipe which will result in a 220 metre fireball, in an attempt to show an alternative to the yearly photo of people covered in mud.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 0
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DBResident
54 posts
Mar 25, 11:00
Report commentTerrible reporting.. Bad enough that there is generally only one or two proper peice of news a weekfrom this rag, appalling that the level of reporting (mostly regurgitating press releases and news wire) is so lamentable
Recommend? Yes 5
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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Mar 25, 21:26
Report commentI do agree this is somewhat ludicrous but I'd DB Residents are finding it a tad challenging may I suggest they find another "rag" to castigate! After all if you think something you are accessing is a "rag" why would you continue to access it, never mind commenting on the content. I suppose if you are intellectually challenged it's something you just do!
Recommend? Yes 3
No 7
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DBResident
54 posts
Mar 26, 10:54
Report commentNHJ - being intellectually challenged I find your first sentence incomprehensible.
The term rag has for hundreds of years been used as an informal noun for newspaper. I access it to try to obtain current local news. My opinion of the content is as valid as yours; my reasoning for accessing online is of no concern to you, but thanks for asking.
Recommend? Yes 9
No 1
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kaka30
310 posts
Mar 27, 19:51
Report commentAs usual the HSE trying to justify their jobs.
It wasnt a problem 14 year ago & it wont be a problem for infinity.
Love for an employee of the HSE & defend their so called concerns.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 0
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Ooosh!
31 posts
Mar 29, 07:33
Report commentThe only H&S concern at TITP should be the disgraceful state of the port-a-loo's... they are a biohazard & who knows what infestations are harvesting themselves inside these faeces soaked caverns!
The local council needs to get it's priorities sorted, like actually make better parking for revellers, improve the toilet facilities, make better publi transport to TITP available & more frequent to reduce traffic... list goes on & on.
Recommend? Yes 5
No 2
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DinoSaur
49 posts
Apr 2, 23:14
Report commentIt would be a shame for some of the decent people that attend - but it would get rid of a few druggies - that cant be bad!
Recommend? Yes 2
No 1
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