I WAS under the impression that the Shell/Exxon plants had closed down until new piping and all emergency repairs had been done.

Well I waited and waited, it is now well past mid October and can anyone tell me why all the red smoke is still going on from the plants.

Or is it just that when they see high stack flaring they worry.

I cannot state this is flaring, but certainly something is being burned causing red cloudy skies at night. Still fumes and smoke and what else?

Despite being a man, I still get agitated when normal flaring occurs, the ground shakes, fumes and smoke, it is like hell! But what is going on just now.

I live in the middle of Thistle Street, Cowdenbeath, so I can see all the towers and buildings at Mossmorran-it makes me a nervous wreck. I have never known this feeling since the war.

I was told in the paper that everything was being switched off to allow replacements, cleaning and clearing and also the fitting of new safety devices.

The plants would not be working, perhaps, until November. So someone please tell me why are there are red skies above the plants.

I think everyone in my street has been taking photos to prove all this.

The companies think they are OK because most folk in Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly cannot see or feel the actual flaring when it is not in a tower. But I and many others do feel it all the time.

What about all of us. We are all vulnerable and alone. It brings back times when in the war, that awful feeling of not being able to escape!

Is it not time the areas affected (actual people) are given compensation. For one thing all these things are not in my head or others’.

But if compensated we ‘the affected’ will have confirmation and perhaps the helpless feeling will go away.

For if these plants pay compensation to those houses/tenants obviously affected, it would show ‘trust’ in the sense that they are not calling us liers and admitting what is actual fact.

Or saying that all fumes, air pollution, noise, vibration and lack of sleep, plus health problems are ‘minimal’ or non-existent, which is causing the uproar and extreme anger amongst people as they treat us like ants.

Come on Shell/Exxon plants, show some compassion by handing out some compensation soon.

Then we might believe you that you are not cutting back on costs to our detriment.

For the longer they put off paying out to people who deserve compensation it shows the lack of caring or reality.

Have empathy, put yourself in our places. Could you be like this, it is with you every night. Yes every night, just waiting for the big bang.

Stop hiding away, Shell/Exxon, don’t give us more of all the precautions being done, new items installed. We don’t believe you. Only thing would be if you compensated the individuals who reside near your plants and by doing so you would be empathising with our plight, or daily plight.

OLD TOM,

Cowdenbeath.

The red skies at night being talked about by our correspondent is ground flaring as gas flow from the North Sea to Mossmorran continues to the site as the Shell NGL plant is still operational. Replacement parts are being fitted at the Exxon plant currently. The Ed.