Hampshire County Council's Emergency Planners are advising residents on the Waterside of a new public warning siren being tested.

Regulations require companies operating to the north of the Fawley ExxonMobil Refinery to have a public warning siren installed to warn people in the event of an emergency which could affect local communities surrounding the sites.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber said: "The public should be reassured that there is no increased risk or change to operating procedures or the nature of the products produced. This is simply the testing of a new alarm system, designed to provide surrounding communities with an audible warning of an emergency.

"All industries that carry out higher risk operations are required by Government regulations to provide warning systems to alert those in the surrounding area of an emergency. The three companies affected by these regulations to the west of Hythe in the New Forest area have combined to have one common warning siren to alert people in the Netley View, Butts Ash and Frost Lane areas".

The new siren is going to be tested to assess its suitability to be heard in all of these areas on Monday 7th August 2006. The testing will start at midday (12.00) and will finish at two O'clock (14.00). The alarm will sound a number of times for duration of one minute during this two hour slot while technicians monitor the sound levels produced.

No action need be taken by people on hearing these sirens, which will sound the same as the Fawley ExxonMobil Refinery off-site alarm. Anybody wishing to familiarise themselves with the ExxonMobil Refinery siren can hear a pre recorded sample by phoning 0800 1693597.

A full public information pack will be posted in September, to all residents and businesses in the Netley View, Butts Ash and Frost Lane areas, providing instructions on actions to be taken in the unlikely event of an alarm.

Residents or businesses with enquiries regarding this matter should contact Ron Godden, Senior County Planning Officer, Hampshire County Council on 01962 826063.