Spodden Valley - Asbestos waste question

At last week's Rochdale Township Committee meeting, Save Spodden Valley Co-ordinator, Jason Addy asked:

"For well over a year Council Officers and members of the public have made suggestions for reasonable temporary measures about the know asbestos waste sites where there are exposed deposits of asbestos.  What has been done to ensure the landowners -

a) Erect effective barriers around the defined areas of the northern asbestos tips?
b) Ensure that appropriate warning signs are in place?"

The full response from Environmental Control Services:

In April, council officers and representatives of the Health Protection Agency, Primary Care Trust and Health and Safety Executive met with the land owners and outlined what interim control measures for the northern woodland were considered appropriate to mitigate risks arising from the presence of tipped asbestos. These measures, and the reasons for them, were subsequently confirmed in writing. It was acknowledged at the meeting by all parties that there are some practical difficulties. The site owners were asked to submit some feasible proposals for fencing/barriers. It was accepted that some time would be required to do this. It is acknowledged that it is not practical to put up measures which will be immune from vandalism / criminal damage or determined entry, hence the importance of clear and informative signage, which is also a requirement. We have been in regular contact with the owners, and are aware of efforts on their part to identify practical fencing options and to consult the Institute of Occupational Medicine regarding the air monitoring also considered appropriate.

Progress has been slow, and this has been raised repeatedly with the site owners. Officers met with the owners and prospective developers on Monday to discuss the Atkins report and the planning application for the site The issue of progress with the interim controls for the Northern Woodland was raised by the Head of Planning as the first item on the agenda. RMBC's disappointment was expressed. The owners confirmed that they were still working on the measures requested. It was agreed that a specific meeting would be arranged with them as a matter of some urgency to review what they have done so far and agree a timetable for decisions and actions on these interim measures. We hope to arrange this meeting for some time next week but availabilities have not been confirmed yet.