Aberavon AM David Rees talks Environment with Tata Steel.

Yesterday David Rees, Assembly Member for Aberavon, welcomed the Minster for the Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths AM, to Port Talbot where they met with Tata Steel UK to discuss Environmental issues and the plans that Tata have to make improvements to their environmental footprint.

 

Following a significant increase in complaints to Tata Steel, the organization, which is committed to the community surrounding its Port Talbot plant, identified a number of short, medium and long term investments and activities that would reduce the fall out of nuisance dust and other pollutants on the local area.

 

The investment promised at Port Talbot will see key projects being delivered in the next 12-18 months which include an upgrade to the BOS Plant, which should see the reduction of orange dust in the area as well as improvements to the Morfa coke ovens fume extraction hood which will see a reduction in black dust. In addition to this, work is undergoing to install mufflers at the Sinter Plant, which will lead to a decrease in the noise that many residents have been experiencing lately, as well as replacement of the secondary stack dedust.

 

David Rees AM said; “I was delighted to welcome the Minister to Port Talbot yesterday to see for herself the work that Tata has committed to undertaking to minimise its Environmental impact here in Port Talbot. I have continually called on the Welsh Government to remind Tata to act as a responsible neighbour to the people of Port Talbot and I am pleased that the Minister has come to the works to discuss these issues. It is good news that Tata have agreed a substantial financial expenditure to Port Talbot to ensure that they achieve this aim.”

 

He added “In addition to the work being completed at the plant, Tata have ensured me that they have also looked into their complaint process and stakeholder engagement. Tata state that they take their relationship with the people of Port Talbot very seriously and have made changes to the way in which they handle complaints and how they engage with the public.”

 

“Whilst the plant at Port Talbot is the lifeblood of the town and surrounding areas, I will ensure that Tata continue to listen to the views of local people and endeavour to be the best neighbour they can. I believe that the proposed changes they are introducing shows the intent that they want to support the local environment and are prepared to invest at the site to do this.”

 

Mr Rees has arranged a coffee morning in Margam and Taibach for Saturday the 21^st September, where Stephen Kinnock MP, the local Councillors and Senior Management at Tata will be present, so that residents can speak with Mr Rees and others about any concerns they may have and where Tata will be present to promptly answer the environmental concerns of local residents.

 

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