Who are we
the former Turner Brothers Asbestos site and its tree felling contractor on the weekend
of May 15th /16th 2004.
WHY ARE WE CONCERNED?
THE ROCHDALE TURNER BROTHERS ASBESTOS (TBA)
SITE WAS THE LARGESTASBESTOS TEXTILE FACTORY
IN THE WORLD.
THE SITE PROCESSED ASBESTOS FOR OVER 100 YEARS
DOCUMENTS FROM 1957 CONFIRM THAT TBA WAS
DUMPING OVER 300 TONS OF WASTE DUST PER YEAR
BY 1970 TBA WAS PRODUCING 2,250,000 YARDS OF
ASBESTOS CLOTH AND 5,500,000 MILES OF ASBESTOS
YARD IN A YEAR.
ASBESTOS WASTE WAS DUMPED AROUND THE ROCHDALE SITE FOR DECADES.
WE DO NOT KNOW THE LOCATION ALL THE DUMP SITES.
If anyone can help locate dumped asbestos around the site, please contact us.
.....................................................................................................................................................................
WHAT SHOCKED US INTO ACTION?
IN MAY 2004, THE SITE WAS SOLD TO MMC DEVELOPMENTS Ltd / RATHBONE JERSEY Ltd.
NO PLANNING PERMISSION HAD BEEN SUBMITTED, YET WITHIN DAYS ALMOST A MILE OF
TEMPORARY SECURITY FENCING WAS ERECTED
then, ON SATURDAY, MAY 15th…
at 2am: the bulldozers moved in.
by 7am: dozens of contractors started clearing woodland on the site.
Guarded by plain clothed “security guards”.
IN THAT WEEKEND, HUNDREDS OF TREES WERE FELLED. HUNDREDS MORE ARE STILL THREATENED.
SAVE SPODDEN VALLEY was formed within days of the tree felling. A public meeting was held.
Over 200 people attended.
This is an issue that may directly affect thousands of Rochdalians. The consequences of irresponsible
development may last for decades.
.....................................................................................................................................................................
WHO ARE WE?
SAVE SPODDEN VALLEY was formed by local people, from all walks of life.
All leaflets and publications have been fully scrutinized to ensure that all facts stated are completely
accurate: Referenced sources are available on request.
WE WELCOME ANY ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SITE that could help safe decisions to be
made about development.
We will not publish ill-informed, misleading or inaccurate information. The only agenda we have is to
ensure that our community is kept safe. One further cancer death caused by asbestos from the former
TBA site is one too many.
The facts of the Rochdale site are shocking enough- our community can only be served properly by
responsible dialogue and consultation about future development on the site.
We seek support from: former workers and residents of the Rochdale factory or other communities that
have been affected by asbestos, environmental pollution or contaminated land.
We welcome help from politicians of all major parties: Councillors, MPs MEPs; Local, national and
international pressure groups; businesses, trade unions and associations; leading experts in the fields
of industrial history, epidemiology and asbestos disease.
We are not ‘NIMBYs’ or small-minded people. We may welcome safe, responsible development.
However: public health is paramount.
Our concerns were first raised by the actions of the new owners of the site:
MMC Developments / Rathbone Jersey Ltd, and their contractor Treelink Ltd. Much local goodwill was
lost because of what was done and threatened on the weekend of 15th/16th May 2004. Actions speak
louder than words.
We view the former Turner Brothers Asbestos factory as no ordinary ‘brownfield’ site.
Irresponsible development could cost lives.
..................................................................................................................................................................
WHAT DO WE WANT?
We ask all those who have responsibilities for the site to:
Please respect our environment and wildlife habitats
Remember the victims of asbestos related disease
Ensure there is public access to all the facts and decisions
Involve the whole community in the site’s future
Our agenda is open and frank:
Please keep the people of Rochdale safe from irresponsible development.
