Shell flagship closes for remedial work
Shell says it’s not satisfied with the standard of the fuel system installation at the South Rd site.
The pumps are gone, the shop and office is boarded up, the underground tanks have been exposed and a two-metre high security fence surrounds the site.
The company’s Disraeli St station is operating 24/7 during the closure, with extra staff engaged.
South Rd was closed last Monday for six weeks of remedial work, required because the finished building did not meet Shell’s standards, revealed by post-completion auditing, says the company’s communications manager, Jackie Maitland.
Discussions were held with the contractors and they agreed to carry out the remedial work required.
Ms Maitland declined to state what parts of the installation did not meet Shell’s standards, other than saying it was the fuel system, but there had been no health and safety concerns and the cost was not an issue.
“The work is not major – it probably looks worse than it is because the systems are underground and concrete has to be dug up,” she said.
Some motorists said they knew nothing about the closure. There were queues last week at the Disraeli St pumps.
Ms Maitland denied the company had given inadequate warning of the closure of the high-volume South Rd site, which is also a major truck fuel stop.
She apologised for the inconvenience.
Two weeks prior to the closure, all Shellcard customers were written to, signs were displayed on both forecourts, and staff were asked to spread the word.
“We consider that was an adequate public notification,” Ms Maitland said.
The South Rd station was closed on October 15 for demolition and rebuild and was re-opened as one of the most modern in the country on January 18.
At the time, site owner John Hurley said very little warning was given about the closure. He had no comment to make yesterday about the latest closure.
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