Fireworks in Sussex

Working as East Sussex Highways, May Gurney has received praise and thanks from East Sussex County Council for the role it played in dealing with a major incident at a fireworks factory that made national news headlines in early December.

The fire started at lunchtime on 3 December at the warehouse of Festival Fireworks, which is located approximately one mile from East Sussex Highways' Ringmer depot. The East Sussex Highways emergency stand by gang was called in shortly afterwards to close the road and erect a temporary diversion.

As the seriousness of the situation emerged the police requested that the road be closed for an extended period for forensic investigations, and to protect the public.

"My purpose in contacting you is to put on record my appreciation of the professionalism and efficiency of the East Sussex Highways team that attended. "

David Broadley

An extra HGV diversion was set up and the diversions were checked regularly to ensure the signs were clear and readable. These checks were vital because of heavy winds and rain, which often result in signs being blown down.

David Broadley, Senior Emergency Planning Officer, East Sussex County Council, sent the following email:

"On Sunday I was acting as the Local Authority Silver Liaison Officer at the Festival Fireworks fire at Ringmer.

"My purpose in contacting you is to put on record my appreciation of the professionalism and efficiency of the East Sussex Highways team that attended.

"They showed both initiative and understanding of what was required at a time when much was going on, and were eager to provide as much assistance as they could. Their team leader was particularly helpful and all were a credit to ESCC." Chris Bancroft, East Sussex Highways Area Manager, was responsible for mobilising the team. "We take pride in our swift reaction to emergency situations. I would like to thank the emergency stand-by crew that attended the scene and all those involved subsequently.

"This was a real team effort and I am pleased that we were able to help the emergency services in a very difficult situation."

The diversion was finally removed on 13 December.

Related stories:-
East Sussex workforce wins high praise
Good news on several fronts

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