Huge boost for asbestos site campaigners

The Save Spodden Valley campaign group has been given a huge boost as it reaches its fourth anniversary; as already noted in a report earlier this week citing Paul Rowen MP, the campaign group has been congratulated by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health.

The full text is as follows:

As the Save Spodden Valley campaign reaches its fourth anniversary we congratulate the people of Rochdale for campaigning so tirelessly to ensure the dangers of asbestos are recognised. The full facts about the former Turner & Newall in the Spodden valley must be acknowledged – despite the apparent efforts of the landowners and property speculators to obfuscate the issues, intimidate campaigners and avoid their moral and legal responsibilities.

The sorry history of asbestos teaches us that people should not be put before profit.

The site of the world’s first then largest asbestos textile factory must be treated with the utmost respect. It should be capped and allowed to rest in peace to become a “green lung” and a safe, tranquil amenity for future generations to remember all those throughout the world who have, or will, succumb to asbestos related disease.

The permanent remediation of the Spodden Valley should become an inspiration and blueprint for all communities that have been blighted by asbestos contamination. Remember the dead- fight for the living.

House of Commons
Westminster
15 May 2008



Professor Bruce Robinson Scientific Director of the National Research Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases. University Western Australia.

Dr Greg Deleuil A.M., Medical Advisor to the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia

Dr Mick Peak, Chairman UK Lung Cancer coalition, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester.

John McClean, National Health and Safety Officer- GMB union

Rob Miguel, National Health and Safety Officer- UNITE union

Chris Knighton, Anne Craig, Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund.


Details of recent meetings with influential policy makers:

April 21/22:
University of Stirling Occupational Cancer Conference:

Spoke at some length about Spodden Valley to:

Dr Jukka Talaka, Head of European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Bilbao,

Spain 

osha.europa.eu/about

And:

Dave Gee, European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark

www.eea.europa.eu/

(Mr Gee is familiar with the site and had visited it a number of times in the 1970s and 80s. He has also been following the SSV campaign via the internet).


April 29:

Kevin Walkin, Head of HSE Cancer and Asbestos Unit

www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/campaign/index.htm

Discussing proposals to raise awareness about the potential dangers of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. We also discussed the Spodden Valley - Mr Walkin was already aware of the last four year’s news events.