CONCERNS remain following the end of the investigation into the May 2010 fire at Grosvenor Chemicals in Linthwaite.
Safety watchdogs have admitted their views on the catastrophic fire were restricted because of legal issues.
But Colne Valley councillors have said there are still worries about the firm and over a steep access road used by all vehicles to and from the site.
They spoke out following a meeting of Kirklees Council when a report on the aftermath of the blaze was presented.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Rom Naplocha said that the inquiry was over, but there would be no final report.
Inspectors were limited in what they were able to divulge, due to the possibility of legal proceedings and because of commercial confidentiality.
He said that a decision was expected later this year on whether legal proceedings would take place.
Since the fire, the number of chemicals had been reduced at the Linthwaite site as the company changed its range of products.
Mr Naplocha said that four Improvement Notices has been issued to Grosvenor Chemicals in 2011, mainly covering chemical storage and drainage.
Improvements to storage facilities and bunding – spillage containment areas – were ongoing.
One of the residents’ worries had been Tank 66, which they believed contained chemicals which could adversely affect the whole of Kirklees.
Mr Naplocha said that this was not the case. Tank 66, which is no longer on the site, contained only a small amount of chemicals and these would have produced normal combustion products when burning.
He admitted one of the outstanding issues remaining was of the steep, badly maintained access road to the Manchester Road plant.
According to Clr David Ridgway, tanker drivers had to take a run at the steep lane and approach Manchester Road at some speed.
Clr Nicola Turner said: “This is a very, very important issue which could affect the whole of Kirklees.
“We still have not got all the answers and the public of Colne Valley don’t feel assured there will not be a problem there.”
Mr Naplocha admitted: “The access road is in a very poor condition.
“But it is a private road and ownership cannot be determined.
“If the road belonged to Grosvenor Chemicals or Kirklees Council, we would have sorted it by now. I cannot make Grosvenor Chemicals fix a road that does not belong to them.”
He added that the last known owner of the road was Sir Joseph Radcliffe in 1871.
Tim Shaw of the Environment Agency said: “The Environment Agency doesn’t have powers to change these roads.
“Our powers only cover the site, we have no powers on the highways.”
The investigation followed the huge fire of May 24, 2010 which led to explosions that rocked local houses. Toxic fumes and substances were released into the air and the River Colne in the blaze, which involved 150 firefighters.
Chemical manufacturing has taken place at the Grosvenor site for more than 30 years. Grosvenor Works had previously been used for a variety of businesses, including rug manufacturing, before it was acquired by Crewe Chemicals in 1976.
When that firm went into receivership in 1980, the site was bought by trading company Mirfield Sales Services Ltd, which set up Pennine Chemical Services.
At the time of the blaze, the Linthwaite site employed some 70 people and had an annual turnover of about £10m.
The company specialises in formulating and packing insecticides, fungicides and weedkillers as well as non-agrochemicals such as sun creams, hair lacquers and hangover cures.
