"We need to have a more mature relationship with risk. Projects often do not go ahead because of concerns about safety but often all you are doing is moving the risk somewhere else. He said the UK's risk aversion was demonstrated to him by a recent decision by London's royal parks to close during high winds. Instead of going for a walk through the park, [people] ended up walking around the edge of it instead, where there were often more trees."
"It included the arresting detail that Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant is spending 700m on an acoustic fish deterrent, which saves the life of less than one salmon (and 528 twait shads) a year. Critics have called the system a fish disco. Environmental groups have expressed alarm at the possibility of further deregulation, while some in government believe more legislation"
Overbearing health and safety rules and risk-averse regulators are preventing new infrastructure projects and contributing to long economic stagnation. Government direction on tolerable risk levels is proposed to allow projects to proceed rather than being blocked by safety concerns that simply shift hazards elsewhere. Proposals include permitting developers to make upfront payments to Natural England instead of redesigning projects to protect certain species. Hinkley Point C is spending 700m on an acoustic fish deterrent that saves fewer than one salmon and 528 twait shads per year. Critics deride the measure as a fish disco. Environmental groups warn deregulation could harm wildlife; some officials support more legislation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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