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Our fears over lab
• WE contacted Islington Council to find out its views on the controversial British Library International Science Site lab, a virtual containment facility and animal testing lab which, unless opposed, might be built on the deprived Somers Town estate, close to King’s Cross and St Pancras Eurostar stations. The site is near the border of Islington and Camden boroughs.
We were shocked to be told Islington Council appears not to have been informed of the lab plans, which means no contingency plans in the event of terror attack or virus leak have been drawn up or even discussed. Bio-hazards and animals might be transported through built-up Camden, Islington and other boroughs.
Senior environment officer for Islington, Ahmet Kemal, said: “I have checked our database and we have no information or knowledge on any such lab opening in the King’s Cross area. Please do not hesitate to contact me.”
This has since been dealt with as a matter of urgency and importance.
We feel this shows that, despite “consultation”, the lab is being pushed through without discussion as to health and safety, in defiance of the planning brief and in the face of almost unanimous local opposition.
We are wondering what emergency plans, if any, have been discussed between the lab consortium (involving the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK and University College, London) and London Fire Brigade, British Transport Police and the ambulance service.
Who will have to deal with any accidents or terror attack? One member of the emergency services admitted he “had not heard anything and didn’t know about the lab”. He also said he was “horrified by the idea”.
It seems that at the very least the lab plans are ill thought out, and at worst downright dangerous, without any plans for health and safety
Mandy Ford
London Against Camden Danger Lab
www.myspace.com/londonagainstblisslab
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