Corus of Disapproval
Posted by Paul Woodhouse at July 21st, 2006
As the following article quotes:
THEIR homes have been showered with glitter, their noses assaulted by an eggy smell and their sleep constantly disturbed by loud noises.
Life in the shadow of the steelworks in Port Talbot has been a problem for residents for decades, but they say this summer it is getting worse.
The town is known by its reputation for dirty cars, a lack of washing on lines and constant, unpleasant smells.
I’m unable to confirm whether as I was showered with glitter or had my sleep interrupted as I drove past Port Talbot yesterday on my way to Swansea to deliver some stainless steel planters. I will claim, however, that the pong along the M4 where the Corus steelworks are situated was redolent of some fat, sweaty herbert with flatulence issues washing themselves with coal tar soap (I’ll admit the fat, sweaty herbert bit might’ve been me).
Obviously Corus, who own said steelworks, claim they’ve ploughed oodles of cash into the plant to combat pollution.
A Corus spokesman said yesterday, “We have poured huge resources into combating issues like noise, dust and things like kish.
“Unfortunately, the high pressure we have at the moment does not help. It means the eggy smell (from sulphur contained in iron ore) does not have a chance to disperse and builds up noticeably.
Once you’ve left the evil that is the M6 and start down the M50 through Worcester, Gloucestershire, the Forest of Dean and then into Monmouth, it’s a lovely little drive. Finally, you hit the nuclear winter of Port Talbot and it’s not so much ‘how green was my valley’ as ‘how green is my sputum’.
Is it any wonder Ridley Scott based the whole look of Blade Runner on the place?
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“How green was my Sputum”, love it! I got seconded there for a year one week back in the 70’s. Bloody awful place, and the locals were so “friendly” I took to keeping the company of sheep. It was a platonic relationship honest your worship.
Spent a day at Porthcawl, which is a miniature, downmarket Blackpool, the Chinese restaurant their would have come third to Vesta and Pot Noodle.
Happy Days
My heart honestly goes out to you. And there was me thinking Blackpool was a miniature, downmarket Porthcawl.
Have we done enough to alienate half of Wales and Scotland yet? (I say Scotland seeming Blackpool is always full of them!)