New Asbestos Fears Raised

New fears have been raised about recent activity at the former Turner & Newall (T&N) asbestos factory site in Rochdale.

Workmen using heavy machinery have been spotted disturbing soil where parts of the asbestos factory once stood. This is despite assurances by the new owners, MMC Developments/Rathbone Jersey Ltd to keep local people and authorities informed about any future work on site.

It appears no notice was given to Rochdale Council or the Health and Safety Executive before soil was disturbed. The workers did not appear to be wearing protective clothing to guard against potential contamination.

Rochdale Council considers the whole of the 72 acre former asbestos factory site to be contaminated.

Last week, Rochdale MP, Lorna Fitzsimons met with Rochdale Council's Chief Executive. The need for a strong environmental policing role to guard against potential dangers to public health was discussed.

Controversy was first caused on Saturday May 15 when forestry contractors and bulldozers destroyed hundreds of trees surrounding the former asbestos factory. No notice had been given. No permission for a felling licence had been sought.

In a swift action, Rochdale Council placed a Tree Preservation Order on the remaining threatened woodland.

A recent Council meeting heard a shocking revelation about the site: Land where woodland had been cleared contains a coal mine where the asbestos factory had tipped industrial waste for decades.

Hundreds of local residents concerned about asbestos contamination and damage to wildlife habitat have formed "Save Spodden Valley". The group claims that it is not against development in principle, however given the toxic legacy of the site, they demand that all decisions or actions taken on the land must put public health first.

Documents found recently in the T& N archive reveal that thousands of tonnes of asbestos may be dumped around the Rochdale site. Mills on the site processed asbestos for over 100 years. For decades, many T&N workers and local residents have suffered asbestos related diseases.

On its website, the Health Safety Executive (HSE) suggests there is no safe minimum exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.

Save Spodden Valley say they have a clear message: One further cancer death caused by asbestos from that site is one too many.

In the past few days, local residents have been shocked to see workers on the site disturbing soil with heavy machinery. Published Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Guidelines (HSG:66) suggest that protective clothing and masks should be worn when working on potentially contaminated soil. Recent photographs taken suggest that precautions were not taken.

A Save Spodden Valley spokesperson welcomed the swift actions of the authorities. Within hours, Rochdale Council Environmental Health officers and regional HSE Inspectors were investigating activity on site. The HSE are awaiting a written response from MMC Developments/Rathbone Jersey Ltd.

Local residents fear that MMC are still not taking safety concerns about asbestos seriously. They warn that irresponsible redevelopment of the world's largest asbestos textile factory could cost lives.