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What if? Superlab shouldn’t be a safety experiment
GENUINE fears are raised by the proposed installation of what will be Britain’s biggest research laboratory in Brill Place, Somers Town.
No attempt should be made to cover them up, sweep them away, or dilute them with political spin.
On investigation it may well be shown that such fears are magnified.
Though it is doubtful that those ultimately responsible for a decision on this project are insensitive to the argument that whatever assurances are given in the last analysis these are built on human thought and action – and as such are always subject to accident.
Of course, top security projects such as the research laboratory planned for Brill Place should undoubtedly be well planned and well thought through to the point where accidents are planned out of the scenario. But human error, by the nature of things, can never be ruled out. Witness Chernobyl. Witness Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. Witness, nearer home, and not too long ago, the Pirbright accident.
Where does this leave the present Brill Place proposal?
We argue that the fullest presentation of all the facts – good and bad – should be put before the public, and fully debated.
The provost of University College London, Malcolm Grant, takes a position this week – wisely from his position – of developing a broad brush picture of the obvious social benefits in housing and medical advance arising from the project rather than being drawn into questions of security and safety.
But these, as we have said, should not be dodged.
In our opinion, this proposal dwarfs – in social implication – the scheme to rebuild a fair chunk of King’s Cross. You can always pull down a bad redesign and start again.
But it does not bear thinking about as to what would happen if there’s another Pirbright accident in Brill Place. It’s a million to one that it won’t happen. Yes, but what if...
That’s why the buck stops here – with the Medical Research Council, the local authority, and the public.
Post Office sale must be sorted out
IS it true that the Hampstead sorting office is to be sold off by the Post Office?
The PO denies the rumour (see page 3). But cynics may think that is what they would say.
The sorting office site is worth a mint, and it is hardly likely that the Post Office, severely strapped for cash, are not considering a sale.
The denial, issued yesterday (Wednesday), is hedged in with sufficient qualification to keep our readers on the alert.
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