A GOVERNMENT agency is currently exploring how to remove 250,000 tonnes of ‘volatile’ liquid from land between Lostock Gralam and Plumley.

Lostock Gralam Parish Council discussed the plans - which could see 250,000 tonnes of crude oil removed from Plumley Salt Caverns as soon as the New Year - at their latest meeting.

The caverns are part of the Government Pipeline and Storage System and are managed by the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Oil and Pipeline Agency (OPA).

The Guardian understands that the removal of such a large amount of oil would require eight vehicle movements a day for two years, using roads including Birches Lane, to transport the liquid to Stanlow.

At Monday’s meeting, Birches Lane resident Terry Hargreaves told the parish council he was worried about the proposals.

“The trucks are going to use Birches Lane north - Birches Lane is not suitable for HGVs,” he said.

“There is also the little bridge at the bottom – no way can you get around that bridge if there’s an arctic coming one way and one the other.

“The bridge is not going to stand that amount of vehicles.

“There are going to be 44 tonne trucks passing over it – what happens is there is an accident? It is highly volatile liquid.

“What about the traffic coming the opposite way?

“There isn’t anywhere for them to pass except for on the grass verges outside our houses.”

Clr Dennis Woodward said: “It has been under there for all of these years – why have they decided to move it now?”

Nicola Clarke, clerk to Lostock Gralam Parish Council, added: “INEOS have given them permission to access their land to get out – it has to go to Stanlow to be refined.”

A spokesman for INEOS said: “We are aware that OPA are reviewing options regarding the removal of oil from their site.

“We will continue to liaise with OPA if and when necessary.”

Despite fears the liquid stored in the salt caverns is dangerous, the MoD told the Guardian the liquid is safe and is protected by an impervious layer of rock salt.

A spokesman for the MoD said: “The MoD’s Oil and Pipeline Agency is exploring how to remove 250,000 tonnes of viscous liquid hydrocarbons (crude oil) which is currently stored underground in Plumley Salt Caverns.

“Discussion are ongoing between the OPA and Essar Oil (UK) but no final decisions have been made.”

Local stakeholders will be consulted about the plans before final decisions are made.

What do you think about the plans to remove 250,000 tonnes of crude oil from Plumley Salt Caverns? Email emma.rigby@nqnw.co.uk or call 01606 813 621.