20.—(1) The public concerned will be provided with early and effective opportunities to participate in the preparation and review of the external emergency plan to be drawn up in accordance with regulation 19.
(2) The department which is responsible for emergency planning referred to in regulation 18(5) shall determine how the provision in paragraph (1) is best achieved, and must make arrangements to inform the public concerned of proposals to prepare and review the external emergency plan, including information about the right to participate in that process and how to do so.
(3) That department must afford the public concerned a reasonable timescale to express comments and must ensure that due account is had to comments received in reaching a decision on the preparation or review of the plan.
(4) Information on safety measures and the action required in the event of an accident at the site must be provided by the operator to the public concerned, free of charge, and that information must contain at least all matters specified in Schedule 4.
(5) In preparing the information referred to in paragraph (4), and determining the manner of its provision to the public concerned, the operator must consult with that department, but the operator is responsible for its form, accuracy and completeness.
(6) The information referred to in paragraph (4) must be reviewed by the operator at least every three years and updated as necessary.