LESLEY Laird, MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, called for a "root and branch review" at Mossmorran, following news that flaring was set to continue at the Fife Ethylene Plant on Monday.

A gas leak prompted ExxonMobil Chemical Ltd, operators of Fife Ethylene Plant, to flare over the weekend as a safety precaution.

ExxonMobil has further said that, due to an instrumentation issue in the early hours of this morning, the process to restart normal operations at the plant were delayed and, as a result, flaring would continue for another 12 to 18 hours.

The company has apologised for any resulting inconvenience to local communities and has assured flaring poses no danger to residents or employees.

Nevertheless, Lesley Laird, who previously met with ExxonMobil representatives to discuss ongoing concerns with flaring at the plant earlier this year, stressed communications between the operator and local residents need to improve.

Ms Laird commented: "There has been a loss in confidence in the flaring process - the light, noise pollution and smell emitted from the plant has caused great disruption to the local community.

"There needs to be a root and branch review of why flaring keeps happening."

The MP has spoken to ExxonMobil and was due to speak with SEPA this week for an update.

In the coming weeks Ms Laird will also be meeting with Prof. Wilson Sibbett, who chairs the Independent Monitoring Committee, to further discuss whether monitoring at Mossmorran is fit for purpose.

Meanwhile Cowdenbeath and Kelty councillor Alex Campbell commented: "This latest flaring episode, which was supposed to have ended on Sunday but has continued well into Monday and perhaps longer is really not good enough.

"Exxon/Mobil have said that, as they normally do that there is no danger to anyone from the flaring, but when you see a huge flame in the sky for days on end it can be disconcerting for residents throughout the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area.

"I would hope that our MSPs will take this up and ask for a assurances on this facility as this is the second major incident of flaring within a matter of a few months."

Due to an instrumentation issue in the early hours of Monday meant that the process to re-start normal operations at the Fife Ethylene Plant was delayed. That issue was resolved by Monday lunchtime and the process to re-start the plant resumed.

Craig McCafferty, Process Manager at FEP for ExxonMobil Chemical on Monday afternoon said: “We apologise to the local community for the continued flaring. It is unfortunate, but not unusual, for issues to arise when restarting complex industrial processes of this kind, and I would like to assure residents that we are doing all we can to minimise any disturbance and to return the plant to normal operations as soon as possible.

"Safety and environmental protection continue to be our highest priorities, and all relevant authorities are being kept fully informed.

"The flaring, which began just before 5pm on Friday afternoon is an

essential part of the plant’s safety systems and there is no danger to local communities or employees.

"We anticipate that the plant will return to normal operations within 12 to 18 hours".