Letter: Valour and anger in oil-mired Wales
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: I am left with two impressions from a recent visit to the oil-affected areas of south Pembrokeshire.
In the first place, the local response to the Sea Empress disaster has been immediate and impressive. Statutory services, working in concert with hundreds of volunteers, are making valiant efforts to clean up the beaches and to rescue detergent-blinded seals and thousands of bewildered oil-covered sea birds.
The leisure and shell-fishing industries will undoubtedly suffer, and there is still the possibility of an unprecedented wildlife calamity if the oil around Skomer Island is not cleared before the million or so Manx shearwaters and puffins return to their nesting and feeding grounds within the next few days.
However, my most abiding impression is one of anger and frustration among the local population.
Anger, that a pollution disaster of this magnitude could have been avoided or dramatically minimised had the Donaldson recommendations been implemented in full. Frustration, that in spite of the media invasion, the placatory visits of princes and politicians, and the promised government inquiry, nothing will change.
West Walians, like the Shetlanders, are not naturally vindictive. However, many of them are now convinced that only a foot-deep slick of oily filth engulfing the Solent or moving up the Thames on a rising tide will persuade the Government to take the steps necessary to prevent these inexcusable catastrophes on our more remote coastlines.
John J Evans
Bristol
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments