A LOUD siren will be blaring in Oldbury tomorrow – but people shouldn’t be alarmed.

Solvay Solutions, a chemical manufacturing firm based in Trinity Street, will be carrying out the annual test of its off-site alarm tomorrow (Friday October 1) at midday.

The ear-piercing siren will go off for around 60 seconds.

It is designed to be heard from a 1km radius of the site to alert people in the unlikely event of a major fire or chemical release from the site. 

Keen to allay any concerns people may have when the alarm goes off Solvay said the test has become a routine annual exercise and people do not need to do anything when they hear it tomorrow.

Ian Fryer, Site Director, said: “We work closely with local authorities, the Health and Safety Executive and the emergency services to ensure that we are maintaining the highest standards of health, safety and environmental protection.

“However, in the unlikely event of an incident occurring on the site, it is important that we have an efficient and clearly understood way of alerting our neighbours.

"The off-site alarm is designed for that purpose and we test it annually in line with relevant legislation.”

On the day of the alarm test, a telephone hotline will be available for neighbours to call if they have any questions or concerns on 0121 552 3333. 

If the off-site alarm sounds outside of the notified scheduled test dates, people should go indoors and close all windows and doors; co-operate fully with instructions from the emergency services and wait indoors until the all clear message is given.