Full Access to Isles Bay,
Daylight Only to as Far as Richmond Hill
By Bennette Roach
Friday, April 02, 1999
Government House late Thursday after the newspaper was published released the following, dealing with the recently published report of "Scientific and Hazards Assessment of the Soufriere Hills Volcano", which findings identified a significant reduction in risk to people entering certain areas south of the Belham Valley.
"…The reduction in risk to individuals from volcanic events in these areas does however allow the Government of Montserrat to consider greater public access to them. The Government has therefore decided to implement the following changes to the policy governing access to the exclusion zone with effect from Wednesday 7 April:
The rest of the release deals in a most negative way with other areas within the exclusion zone, "including Plymouth, are still considered to be at high risk of being impacted by residual volcanic activity and unauthorised access is forbidden. Warning signs and barriers will be placed to ensure that restricted areas are clearly demarcated and anyone found in these areas by the police, without the written permission of the Commissioner of Police, will be subject to arrest and fine."
While saying that the volcano is going into repose, where is the effort to educate the public of the dangers that exist? This is more of the same where there are nothing but threats and little in the way of information on the dangers that still exist.
The end of the release does say: "Further information will be provided on warnings should there be a sudden escalation in volcanic activity but anyone entering the exclusion zone should carry a radio tuned to Radio Montserrat."
Dated: Friday, April 02, 1999
We provide the full unedited text of the Press Release below
The HAZARDS ASSESSMENT March 1999 is now online.
We hope to have a revised Hazard Map online soon as well.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
Dated: Thursday, April 01, 1999
The recently published "Scientific and Hazards Assessment of the Soufriere hills Volcano"' which reported the findings of the scientific meeting held at the Seismic Research Unit of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad from 24 to 26 February, identifies a significant reduction in risk to people entering certain areas South of the Belham Valley, These areas include Isles Bay, Cork Hill, Foxes Bay and Richmond Hill.
The health risks associated with the high levels of ash in most of these areas mean that it will not be possible to open them for re-occupation until an extensive clean-up operation has been completed and services restored. A visit by Dr Peter Baxter of Cambridge University to advise on what is needed in this respect is planned for early May. The possibility of opening Isles Bay, the least affected of these areas, for re-occupation will be considered following Dr. Baxter's visit.
The reduction in risk to individuals from volcanic events in these areas does however allow the Government of Montserrat to consider greater public access to them. The Government has therefore decided to implement the following changes to the policy governing access to the exclusion zone with effect from Wednesday 7 April:
Access to Isles Bay will be unrestricted.
Unless there is a dangerous escalation of volcanic activity, access will be allowed to Cork Hill, Foxes Bay and Richmond Hill during daylight hours. The gate to the South of the Belham Bridge will be opened at 6 a.m. and closed at 6 p.m. each day.
Other areas within the exclusion zone, including Plymouth, are still considered to be at high risk of being impacted by residual volcanic activity and unauthorised access is forbidden. Warning signs and barriers will be placed to ensure that restricted areas are clearly demarcated and anyone found in these areas by the police, without the written permission of the Commissioner of Police, will be subject to arrest and fine.
In introducing these changes, the Government of Montserrat wish to remind the public that they enter the exclusion zone at their own risk and that abuse of the relaxation of control over access may lead to a revision of this policy. Further information will be provided on warnings should there be a sudden escalation in volcanic activity but anyone entering the exclusion zone should carry a radio tuned to Radio Montserrat.