IN BUSINESS Rail tech site aims to fit paint venting
PERMISSION is being sought to add flues for spray painting at a landmark train modernisation facility in Widnes.
Alstom opened a technology centre in Halebank at the end of June.
With more than 13,000m sq of space, it is the largest rolling stock modernisation facility in the UK.
A training academy is due to open at the site in September.
The firm will soon start to work on the €28m contract to re-paint the 56-strong fleet of Class 390 ‘tilting’ Pendolino trains, which are used by Virgin on the West Coast Main Line.
Alstom has now submitted proposals for 12 flues in the roof of the facility for a spray paint facility.
Assessments for sound and air quality impact due to the proposals have been drawn up by Amec Forster Wheeler and submitted as part of the plan.
The air quality document said the site’s emission rate from the booths will be ‘intermittent’ due to the nature of the operation.
Total emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the site have been calculated as 11.8 tonnes per year but the report said there is ‘no risk’ of exceeding assessment levels or limits.
The document said that concentration of emissions’ parts – butyl acetate, xylene and methoxypropyl acetate – are ‘very low’ compared to environmental assessment limits.
It said: “A further application is now being made for the addition of a spray paint facility within the already approved maintenance facility and Halton Borough Council has requested that this application be accompanied by both an air quality assessment and a noise assessment. The installation will consist of several paint booths for body and detailed paint work.
“The assessment address the environmental impacts of the release of VOCs to the air from painting operations.”
The sound assessment recommended that silencers are included within each duct as close to the fans as possible to reduce noise from the ventilation system. ●