RESIDENTS are being warned to not be alarmed if they see a number of emergency services swarming in Oldbury later this week.

Solvay is taking part in its annual emergency response drill on Friday (November 3), which will be co-ordinated by the West Midlands Fire Service.

A number of police, fire and ambulance vehicles will descend on the Trinity Street site as a variety of organisations take part in the training exercise, which will test the ability of staff to respond to a hypothetical simulated crisis in a realistic, industrial environment.

And the chemical company is taking action to reassure the public that the event is a simulation only and they do not need to take any action.

Solvay has also informed local residents of the drill via a letter.

Nathan Mills, site director, said: “The annual training drill plays an important role in helping to ensure that both Solvay and the emergency services are fully prepared in the highly unlikely event of a real incident.

“It is a key part of our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental protection on our Oldbury site.”

Alongside the emergency services, Public Health England, the NHS, the Environment Agency, Severn Trent Water and Sandwell Council will all be involved in the simulation, as well as Solvay’s onsite safety and fire teams.