Back to "square one" for Save Spodden Valley?

Mr Sutcliffe

Save Spodden Valley have received information that a letter (dated 10th September 2004) was sent to the owners of the TBA site confirming exposed asbestos in the Spodden Valley. Although this strongly suggests that they knew about the exposed asbestos, Countryside Properties appeared adamant that there  was nothing exposed on the land owned by MMC Developments Ltd/ Rathbone  Jersey Ltd.

Save Spodden Valley Campaign co-ordinator Jason Addy comments:

"After months of denial about exposed asbestos on the site, the letter is  very damning. It proves that not only did they know of the asbestos problem, but it appears they were contemplating whether to inform the council about it or not. Why did MMC and Countryside Properties spend so much time and effort last year saying they didn't know about any exposed asbestos on the site?"

"Countryside Properties even said on national radio in January 2005 that local people were wrong to say that there was exposed asbestos in the Spodden Valley. They later suggested that the asbestos was exposed when trees were blown down in February 2005. This is utter nonsense: Paul Rowen, Elwyn Watkins and others were pictured beside the exposed asbestos in
photographs published by Rochdale Online in November 2004.  If simple,undeniable facts appear to have been avoided so early in this planning process, it does not bode well for the future".

The September 2004 letter formed part of 2 volumes of documents contained in a new 'Asbestos Audit' published by Encia, the developers' consultants. Campaigners from Save Spodden Valley have read the 2 volumes but are not satisfied with its overall content:

Jason Addy said: "Unfortunately the new reports still appear to be almost as disappointing as the original 'Dodgy Dossier' submitted with the planning application of December 2004."

"If the developers and their experts are still insisting that there are no problems with contamination on the main development site then we are back to square one. Avoiding real issues about contamination does not inspire confidence".

"Mr Nick Bone, Encia's Managing Director shocked a TBA Working Party meeting last month by saying they did not have the time to consult hundreds of former workers and residents.  This was a very disappointing comment when considering the fact that asbestos can do so much harm. In a potentially £100 million pound development what price do you put on public health and consultation?"

Concerns about asbestos dumping to the south and east of the TBA site have been confirmed by retired construction worker Bryan Sutcliffe. Mr. Sutcliffe, now aged 65, worked for R&T Howarth's at TBA for 7 years in the late 1950's and early 1960's. The long- established local construction company had contracts to build new buildings as part of the asbestos factory's expansion.

Old photographs from the 1930's to the 1950's show much disturbed soil on the eastern side of the factory complex. Former workers and residents have suggested that this was another part of the factory site where asbestos was dumped. Mr Sutcliffe says he worked in this area removing soil for the footings of new factory buildings. He drove his dumper truck to the north of the factory site and tipped the much waste beside Woodland's Rd.

Mr Sutcliffe is convinced that the soil he disturbed on the eastern part of the site contained asbestos. This is because he is now suffering from asbestos related pleural plaques- a scarring of the lungs that can only be caused by exposure to visible amounts of asbestos. He says he was not exposed to asbestos from any other workplace apart from his time as a dumper truck driver at TBA for R&T Howarth's.

"If they disturb land on this factory site  - they could be unearthing a lot of trouble for this town" warns Mr Sutcliffe.

"I am very concerned about any future construction workers who may disturb asbestos on that site.  Asbestos has harmed me over 40 years after working on the TBA site. I don't want anyone else to be damaged by asbestos".

Mr Sutcliffe also confirmed that the TBA site contains deep mine shafts:"One dinnertime I parked my dumper truck up. When I came back, it had disappeared down a huge hole. A mine shaft had appeared that went hundreds of feet down. The dumper truck was never recovered. The shaft was filled in with waste from the factory and capped. I dread to think what is dumped down there".