AN MP is calling for senior ministers to review hazardous chemical rules to stop potentially explosive materials being stored in Medway.

Paul Clark, MP for Gillingham and Rainham, is delighted Medway Council turned down an application by Arcelor Mittal to store 2,500 tonnes of ammonium nitrate at Chatham Docks.

But according to legislation, the firm is not required to have permission to store up to 1,000 tonnes of the material at the site in Pier Road.

Mr Clark wants ministers to revise these laws.

He said: “According to legislation the company can still store up to 1,000 tonnes of the chemical at the docks, but I am working hard and making representations to ministers at the Home Office and the environment department to ask for this to be reconsidered.

“People will welcome the sensible decision by Medway Council to not grant planning permission to the 2,5000 tonnes but people will still be saying it shouldn’t be there at all.

“What I am interested in is the rationale behind the division at 1,000 tonnes.

Medway Council refused the application under delegated powers on the grounds that it potentially posed an unacceptable safety risk.

The news was also welcomed by local Labour councillor Bill Esterson but he says there are still questions left unanswered.

Cllr Esterson said: “The council recently admitted ammonium nitrate had been stored at the docks since 2006 and the council knew about the storage.

“If the council thinks that there is a big risk of pollution, why on earth didn’t the council take action to stop the storage of this potentially harmful chemical at the docks when the chemical was first stored there in 2006?

“Or is the truth that the council didn’t really know Arcelor Mittal stored ammonium nitrate at the docks until the company applied for permission to store larger quantities there?

“I will be asking the Tory-run cabinet for answers to these questions. Local people need to know that the council is carrying out its duties properly and that those running the council are making sure that staff have the time, resources and training to check on issues of public safety.”