Shadow Environment Spokesman visits Spodden Valley

Shadow Environment Spokesman Chris Huhne with Save Spodden Valley campaigners

Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Spokesman Chris Huhne MP visited the site of the former Turners asbestos factory in Spodden valley this week. He was accompanied by Rochdale’s MP Paul Rowen and Rochdale Councillors Alan Taylor plus William and Wera Hobhouse.

During his visit, the former MEP and city economist talked with retired asbestos factory workers and local residents that had witnessed the destruction of woodlands in the Spodden Valley on the weekend of 15/16 May 2004. 

Save Spodden Valley campaigner Al Sommerville commented on the top level visit:

“Chris Huhne seemed visibly shocked at the situation on the ground at Spodden Valley. He was very well informed about asbestos, contaminated land and environmental law. He went into a lot of detail about the issues that have been raised by MPs Paul Rowen and Jim Dobbin at Parliament”.

“He was particularly interested in the history of the asbestos factory and explained how people in his own constituency of Eastleigh have died of mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases. Before leaving he pledged his support for the International Asbestos Memorial”.

SSV co-ordinator Jason Addy heralded the visit a great success.

“Mr Huhne is in regular contact with former colleagues in Brussels including North West MEP Chris Davies. UK Contaminated Land Regulations are transposed from European Law and we have been offered help to liaise with the European Environment Agency in Copenhagen.”

“We welcome visitors from all political parties to help find a permanent solution to the contamination issues of the Spodden Valley”.

Following his visit to Rochdale, Chris Hulme gave an assessment of the Spodden Valley issues to the Sunday Express. 

In calling for a change in the law regarding the monitoring of asbestos levels, the Environment Spokesman concluded that it was not sensible or reassuring for property developers to be responsible for compiling their own contamination reports when submitting planning applications.

The Save Spodden Valley campaign has been invited to make a presentation to the Parliamentary Asbestos Sub-Committee on 16 May. Following this, Viennese scientist Heinz Kropniuk is to give his assessment of how asbestos contamination issues are regulated and policed in Austria.