Welcome to Online Truckers
Our focus is on truck drivers around the world. We will, with your help bring you truck related news from around the world. Our mission is to unite truck drivers world wide. We all have one thing in common. And that is trucks. Be it pictures of trucks old and new. Talking trucks or just reading about trucks and there related industry.
So join in. Register and tell us what your interest is in trucks and it's related industry where you live. Thank you again for taking time to view Online Truckers.org
What more can you do at Online Truckers.org?
| Chaos on the roads as toxic spill shuts the A1 |
|
|
|
| Written by Jimbo | |
| Saturday, 22 November 2008 | |
 A TOXIC spill forced the closure of the A1 yesterday (Wednesday), for 18 hours as emergency crews raced against time to contain the hazardous chemical.Both carriageways of the A1 were closed completely between Haddon and Wansford from about 2pm on Wednesday after a lorry shed its load of six bags of powdered vanadium – a corrosive substance used in steelmaking – on to the central reservation near Water Newton, north of Peterborough. Tens of thousands of motorists had to be diverted through the city as police, firefighters and chemical specialists worked through the night to clear the spillage and prevent it contaminating water supplies. People living in villages in the vicinity of the hazard were warned to keep their doors and windows closed and the operation to reopen the A1 only began at about 8am today. Today, firefighters said the 18-hour closure was one of the longest to affect the road in the area in recent memory. Crew manager at Dogsthorpe fire station Stuart Smith said: "Because of the nature of the chemical incident, it took a long time to deal with the problem. I would say it was the longest closure of the A1 most of us here have ever known." The hazardous load was being carried on a curtain-sided lorry belonging to Essex-based haulage firm Ahern when the incident happened, at about 1.50pm yesterday. The company refused to comment last night. No other vehicles were involved and no one was injured, but police were forced to close the long stretch of the A1 because of the toxic nature of the chemical, which is harmful if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed into skin. Another concern about the spillage was the danger it might end up in the nearby River Nene, and Environment Agency officials were in regular contact with emergency crews last night. Environment Agency spokeswoman Catherine Burbage said: "We had concerns that the chemical might get into the river, and we gave advice to stop that happening." Throughout the road closure, traffic was diverted from the A1 in both directions around Peterborough's parkway system, causing gridlock in some areas of the city. The emergency came as a serious blow for businesses at two service stations along the affected stretch of the dual-carriageway, which were deserted throughout the afternoon and evening. Rosie Corrigan, a catering assistant at Kate's Cabin, near Chesterton, told The Evening Telegraph last night: "It's absolutely horrendous. The road has been completely empty for hours and it's not going to be good for business." City workers were still facing severe delays this morning – even after police said the road had re-opened. Commuter Carol Crocker said her journey from Fenstanton into the city this morning had taken more than twice as long as usual. |
|
| Last Updated ( Saturday, 22 November 2008 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
