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D-day in court for Le Clem
THE fate of a controversial French aircraft carrier due to be scrapped in Hartlepool will be sealed this week.
The 800ft Le Clemenceau has been refused entry to a number of countries on safety grounds, but was destined to be dismantled in Hartlepool after health and safety bosses granted Able UK an exemption to asbestos regulations.
That decision sparked fury among environmentalists and local residents, and a legal challenge was mounted against the decision of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Following a number of court listings and numerous legal twists and turns a full hearing will be held in the Court of Appeal this Thursday which will determine the ship's future.
Jean Kennedy, of Friends of Hartlepool, launched a legal challenge saying the HSE had acted "unlawfully" by granting Able UK an exemption against asbestos regulations to allow the ship to be dismantled here.
She and co-campaigner Iris Ryder will be travelling to London for Thursday's all-important hearing.
Ms Kennedy said: "Hopefully the court will uphold our plea for the Clemenceau or any other ship from a foreign port not to be given an exemption to bring their deadly cargos to Hartlepool, a small town and a small community."
Ms Kennedy's application is being backed by the Public Interest Lawyers group (PIL).
The ship is currently berthed at the French port of Brest.
It is also causing controversy in its native land with dockers and port workers saying it should be dismantled over there with reports coming out of France that legal action could also be launched on that side of the Channel if the British proceedings do not block its exit.
The Court of Appeal hearing is expected to last most of Thursday, but it is not known whether judges will give an instant ruling or adjourn to a later date.
Able UK secured a contract to dismantle Le Clemenceau it at its TERRC (Teesside Environmental Reclamation and Recycling Centre) site at Graythorp.
Plans to bring it to Hartlepool have effectively been on hold subject to the court challenge.
But the company is hopeful it could still arrive by the end of the month.
Able UK chairman Peter Stephenson said: "The legal challenge is a direct matter between those bringing it and the HSE and it would not be right for us to comment on that."
A spokesman for the HSE said: "At this stage it is not appropriate for the HSE to comment."
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Weather for Hartlepool
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
