Safety concerns have delayed the service of hydrogen-fuelled buses planned to operate in Crawley and Gatwick in the UK. Operated by Metrobus, the service was launched last summer, but it has been limited due to issues related to a new fuel storage site.
The company has been obliged to operate only 10 buses out of its fleet of 20 per day because the hydrogen refuelling station, which needs hazardous substances approval from Crawley Borough Council, could not be used. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recommended against the application, citing “sufficiently high” risks involved.
Go-Ahead, which owns Metrobus, acknowledges this and is actively trying to reassure the HSE and other stakeholders of the safety of their facility.
In its submission to council planners, the HSE indicated concerns about potential risks to nearby populations, including a school close to where the hydrogen would be stored. The HSE advised Crawley Borough Council, acting as the Hazardous Substance Authority, against approving the application.
The council’s subsequent course of action involved conducting further detailed discussions in response to HSE’s comments on the hazardous substances consent application.
