The potential danger to the proposed Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office from the adjacent electrical sub station and transformers has been raised repeatedly, with no response from officers or councillors.

The application has been passed by North Wiltshire District Council, yet its Environmental Health department did not even know the sub station existed.

It has been pointed out that there are but two huge transformers in the Cocklebury Road substation, with twice the potential for a devasting fire and/or explosion with double the potential destructive capacity.

The ability of the fire brigade to deal with an emergency would be curtailed by the limited access to the site. The fire service would be unable to tackle the fire directly because of the 33,000 volt power lines adding the danger of potentially lethal voltage. Yet the Fire Brigade also has not been consulted. With the railway line behind the proposed Record Office, and potentially lethal power lines probably on site, the capability to evacuate both staff and Record Office users will be seriously compromised.

For the Wiltshire County and Swindon Borough Councils to attempt to go ahead with the proposed scheme, being aware of the potential dangers to their records, users and staff, without consulting and involving such key authorities is irresponsible.

Clive G. Gale

Potterne