Alistair Strathern, MP for the Hitchin constituency, called last week for national change after 6 industrial fires in the last year in Hitchin. 

Continuing his push for action in Parliament, Strathern called for tougher regulations on recycling plants, and consideration of whether more could be done to enable the relocation of sites that are no longer in suitable areas.  

In the last year, Hitchin has witnessed 6 industrial fires, caused mostly by the recycling of lithium-ion batteries.

Working alongside local county councillor Ian Albert, Strathern has set up a taskforce comprising of the local councils, environment agency, and other stakeholders to coordinate a more robust response to the fires, and met with both the local police and sites to secure greater enforcement action and safety measures. Over the coming months Strathern and Cllr Albert intent to hold a public meeting to discuss residents local concerns following the fires, and the way forward. 

In Parliament, responding, Minister Mary Creagh agreed to meet Strathern to discuss this further.

In a statement Alistair Strathern MP said: "after 6 fires in the last year, Hitchin shows how much we need national reforms to keep all of our communities safe from industrial fires".

"I am encouraged by the progress I and local stakeholders have been making locally, and I will keep pushing for change".

"I look forward to meeting the minister on this issue as soon as possible, to press for the changes Hitchin needs."