"Brown" Asbestos confirmed in Spodden Valley

Independent laboratory results have confirmed Spodden Valley's fears about the state of land surrounding the former Turner Brothers Asbestos  (TBA) factory site in Rochdale.

Amosite (Brown Asbestos) has been found in exposed tree roots within 10 metres of a footpath, cycle path and bridleway. The nearest houses are less than 250 metres from the exposed fibres.

Former TBA workers have suggested that this area on Woodlands Rd forms part of a huge asbestos dump containing decades of waste. It recently confirmed that an old coalmine was also used to dispose of waste from the asbestos factory. Other tips are suspected throughout the 72 site. TBA processed asbestos for over 100 years.

The name "Amosite" is derived from the words "Asbestos Mines Of South Africa  - A.M.O.S.A.". TBA's parent company, Turner & Newall mined asbestos in South Africa, Swaziland and the former Rhodesia.

Concerns were first raised in the Spodden Valley in May 2004 when new owners of the site, MMC Developments Ltd, and contracting company Tree link Ltd, disturbed soil and felled hundreds of trees.

The exposed asbestos fibres were found within 100 metres of this recent woodland   clearance.

Planning permission is imminent for an "Urban Village" for the 72-acre site, home to what was the largest asbestos textile factory in the World.

A major national house building company has been linked to the future development

Recent events at the site have caught international attention: Save Spodden Valley members addressed the European Social Forum last month. Experts in asbestos and the asbestos cancer mesothelioma have expressed their concerns from Europe, America and Australasia. The matter is to be discussed at the Parliamentary Asbestos sub-committee next week.

At a recent public meeting, former TBA Health & Safety manager Abdul Chowdry described the felling of trees and disturbance of soil as "sheer madness". As one of only 12 Health & Safety Commissioners for the whole of the UK, Mr Chowdry views the Rochdale site as internationally important. The Commissioner made the following comments about the former asbestos factory site:

"With the potential amount of asbestos on that site, no development should  be built on this land. Such a disproportionate amount may need spending on the site, there may be  no profit in developing it. The potential asbestos contamination on that site may be beyond the remit of Rochdale Council"

Save Spodden Valley spokesman Jason Addy regards the latest news as "chilling".

"These facts about environmental exposure to asbestos and the confirmation of Amosite (Brown Asbestos) exposed to the air demand a full investigation. We ask all those with responsibilities for the Spodden Valley to keep the people of Rochdale safe".

An urgent meeting is being organised by Rochdale Council with Save Spodden Valley for early December. Also invited include: The Environment Agency, Public Health chiefs, the Health Protection Agency, Health & Safety Executive, Forestry Commission and Greater Manchester Police.