Local residents must have seen by now the aftermath of last night’s fire at Optaglio on Greenwich Way. More details can be found on the Andover Sound website at http://www.andoversound.com/pages/extranet/huge-andover–fire-i-6787.php

The fire has been controlled but the whole area remains closed while the fire service deal with the consequences including dealing with a number of acetylene cylinders on the premises. I was there earlier this morning and was impressed with the efficient way the fire and police services dealt with the incident and its aftermath. What could have been a major disaster in Alamein ward and Andover was averted by prompt and effective action by the emergency services.

Greenwich Way will remain closed for twenty four hours while the Fire Service make the area safe. Action is also under way to ensure none of the chemicals on site make their way into local watercourses. Having worked for many years in the chemical industry I appreciate how easily this sort of fire can take place and how devastating the consquences can be. I look forward to a speedy resolution of this problem and a full investigation of the cause.

Test Valley’s Liberal Democrats are calling on the borough council to sign up to the 10:10 campaign to cut carbon emmisions by 10% in 2010. The motion submitted by Cllr Mark Cooper of Romsey, which I am seconding, highlights the success of the campaign and calls on Test Valley to join other Hampshire councils in actively supporting the 10:10 campaign.

I hope the motion will get the support of all councillors. Global warming is a far more serious threat to us and to our future than anything else we have seen. It isn’t going to go away and it needs positive action to deal with it. This action is best taken at a local level and local councils have a major role to play. We can make a difference and have a duty to do so.

The full text of the motion is as follows

 This Council notes the success of the 10:10 campaign in encouraging individuals, businesses, local authorities and other organisations to reduce their carbon emissions by 10% in 2010;

Further notes that the 10:10 campaign, whilst aiming for cuts of 10% recognises that such significant reductions will be difficult to achieve at this stage in the year, so will recognise those organisations which reduce emissions by 3% or greater in 2010.

This Council thus resolves that it will join with other councils, including Winchester City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council and Havant Borough Council by signing up to the 10:10 campaign and will make a firm commitment to reduce its emissions as measured by National Indicator 185 (minus schools and outsourced contracts) by 3% or more by the end of 2010.

More details about the campaign can be found at http://www.1010uk.org/

While out meeting residents in Andover Tom McCann, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for North West Hampshire, met anti-litter campaigner Manuela Wahnon. Tom congratulated her on her campaign and praised her hard work, as an example of how individuals can and do make a difference to their communities.

“I urge everyone to listen to what Manuela has to say” he said. ” Together we can make Andover and the rest of NW Hampshire a cleaner and better place for us and for future generations.”