Shocking news - rubble on the TBA site was to be removed without notice

Rubble being moved from former TBA site earlier in 2005

Last week Save Spodden Valley received shocking news that some of the rubble on the TBA site was to be removed in less than a week's time.

Despite reassurances by the developers (as published in 50,000 brochures) that their: "principal concern is to ensure the public have access to information relating to the site", there was no notice given of any imminent work.

Despite a multi-agency group being in place (HSE, Environment Agency, Rochdale Council, Health Protection Agency etc,) the ONLY agency that seemed to be informed about the planned work was the HSE.

An email was sent last week by Ken Smith, Rochdale MBC's Head of Planning and Regulation expressing concern about the need for clarity and communication on this matter. 

Over the past few days, local MPs and councillors from ALL PARTIES have been working hard to get the facts about what is going on.

Jim Dobbin MP spoke with a minister yesterday about the matter.

In an email received by Save Spodden Valley late Monday 8 November, it was confirmed by MMC Estates that the proposed work has been postponed until an unknown date. It was promised that all parties will be given notice of the future disturbance and transportation of the rubble to a Licensed Landfill site.

The issue that Save Spodden Valley is concerned most about is the need for openness from the landowners and developers, and 'joined-up thinking' between local and central government department. There is a need for effective public scrutiny.

The last few days have suggested that wagons carrying asbestos factory rubble travelling through Rochdale's streets without any prior warning or any opportunity to know if the work that was going on was safe or legal was close to occuring.

Save Spodden Valley spokesman Jason Addy said: "Save Spodden Valley does not suggest that these wagons would have been blowing about large clouds of asbestos dust around as they travelled through. Such claims would be seen as scaremongering and unsubstantiated.

"The real scandal of this is that it appears, after 18 months of controversy, the people of Rochdale still do not have the right to information that could impact on their health and safety."

Save Spodden Valley has produced a briefing note in response to a request by Jim Dobbin MP and also sent to Paul Rowen and Bury MP David Chaytor - the full briefing note can be read, printed and/or downloaded by clicking the following link:

Spodden Valley briefing document 07 11 05