News Article 2 | News archives | Back to latest NEWS |
'NEW ASBESTOS FEARS RAISED'
4th August 2004
New fears have been raised about recent activity at the former Turner & Newall
(T&N) asbestos factory site in Rochdale.
Workmen using heavy machinery have been spotted disturbing soil where parts
of the asbestos factory once stood. This is despite assurances by the new owners,
MMC Developments / Rathbone Jersey Ltd to keep local people and authorities
informed about any future work on site.
It appears no notice was given to Rochdale Council or the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) before soil was disturbed. The workers did not appear to be
wearing protective clothing to guard against potential contamination.
Rochdale Council considers the whole of the 72 acre former asbestos factory
site to be contaminated.
Last week, Rochdale MP, Lorna Fitzsimons met with Rochdale Council's Chief
Executive. The need for a strong environmental policing role to guard against
potential dangers to public health was discussed.
Controversy was first caused on Saturday May 15th when forestry contractors and
bulldozers destroyed hundreds of trees surrounding the former asbestos factory.
No notice had been given. No permission for a felling licence had been sought.
In a swift action, Rochdale Council placed a Tree Preservation Order on the
remaining threatened woodland.
A recent Council meeting heard a shocking revelation about the site: Land where
woodland had been cleared contains a coal mine where the asbestos factory had
tipped industrial waste for decades.
Hundreds of local residents concerned about asbestos contamination and damage
to wildlife habitat have formed “Save Spodden Valley”. The group claims that it is not
against all development in principle, however given the toxic legacy of the site, they
demand that all decisions or actions taken on the land must put public health first.
Documents found recently in the T& N archive reveal that thousands of tonnes of
asbestos may be dumped around the Rochdale site. Mills on the site processed
asbestos for over 100 years. For decades, many T&N workers and local residents
have suffered asbestos related diseases.
On its website, the Health Safety Executive (HSE) suggests there is no safe
minimum exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.
Save Spodden Valley say they have a clear message: One further cancer death
caused by asbestos from that site is one too many.
In the past few days, local residents have been shocked to see workers on the site
disturbing soil with heavy machinery. Published Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
Guidelines (HSG:66) suggest that protective clothing and masks should be worn
when working on potentially contaminated soil. Recent photographs taken suggest
that precautions were not taken.
A Save Spodden Valley spokesperson welcomed the swift actions of the authorities.
Within hours, Rochdale Council Environmental Health officers and regional HSE
Inspectors were investigating activity on site. The HSE are awaiting a written
response from MMC Developments / Rathbone Jersey Ltd.
Local residents fear that MMC are still not taking safety concerns about asbestos
seriously. They warn that irresponsible redevelopment of the world's largest
asbestos textile factory could cost lives.
Extracts HSG:66 Protection of Workers and the General Public During the
Development of Contaminated Land. ISBN 011 885657X.
........................................................................................................................................................................................
STATEMENT ENDS.
