Simon Danczuk and Richard Farnell hold “productive” meeting with Government over asbestos site

Fire at former TBA asbestos factory

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk and council leader Richard Farnell have won a Government commitment to help clear up the toxic legacy of the former Turner Brothers Asbestos works.

Mr Danczuk and Councillor Farnell held a “very productive” meeting with Environment Minister Rory Stewart about decontaminating the site which was once home to the largest asbestos factory in the world.

After the meeting, Mr Stewart confirmed that the Government and the Environment Agency will work with Rochdale Borough Council to resolve the long standing problem.

Asbestos production at the 38 hectare site ceased in the 1990s and the premises have been completely empty since 2008.

In recent years, buildings on the site have been a frequent target for vandals and arsonists, prompting fears that contaminated asbestos material could be released into the air.

A full site survey, part funded by the Council, is due to take place later this year to determine what risks the site poses to public health.

Once this work is completed an Environment Agency asbestos specialist will analyse the report and Mr Danczuk and Councillor Farnell will meet with Mr Stewart again to discuss the next steps.

Mr Danczuk said: “It was a positive and very productive meeting.

“Between myself, Councillor Farnell and the Minister we now have a team which is determined to solve this problem and in total agreement over what needs to be done.

“It is important to stress that we are still a long way off a resolution but this is certainly a step in the right direction.”

Councillor Farnell said: “The former TBA site is an ongoing concern for the council and one we take very seriously indeed.

“Rochdale residents deserve peace of mind and reassurances that the area is safe. We will continue to work hard to achieve just that.”

Jason Addy, co-ordinator of the Save Spodden Valley campaign said: "There is not enough information available to know if this is quite the 'good news' it seems.

"It has become increasingly difficult to get official answers from Rochdale Council about the TBA site issues yet it is critical that all decisions and actions are conducted in an open and transparent manner. Is that too much to ask about this toxic site?

"This may actually have quite sinister consequences: Does the use of public money to part fund further site surveys form a partnership with the mysterious owner, an off-shore brass-plaque company located in a Caribbean tax haven? Why isn't the privately owned company footing their own bill in full?

"Now that public money has been pledged will all publicly held information be available for full public scrutiny?

"I sincerely hope that the timing of this announcement has nothing to do with the upcoming local elections. The last 12 years of careful, community campaigning has benefitted from cross-party effort. The issues relating to asbestos cancer are far too important for that to be undermined."