Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

System failure raises risk factor

Bethan Dorsett
19/ 7/2005

CRACKS in the system have left residents living near the old Turner's site open to asbestos exposure.

That was the stark warning delivered by Councillor Wera Hobhouse, who criticised the Health and Safety Executive at a heated meeting of Spotland Area Forum.

Anna Bliss, a HSE inspector for Greater Manchester, confirmed the organisation had found asbestos fibres in woodland and old building rubble near to where developers, Countryside Properties, wants to build 650 homes.

But she said she was bound by law not to interfere until work, which would disturb the fibres lying dormant in the soil, started.

She said: "I don't have any powers at all when there is no working going on there. I know there are a lot of frustrations, but we aren't able to tell you what's going to happen to that site."

Councillor Hobhouse said she was 'totally staggered.'

"The authorities, local and national, can't protect anybody in this room from exposure to asbestos," she said.

"Shouldn't we all scream and shout about it?"

Local resident Abdul Choudhury asked Mrs Bliss: "Why hasn't there been a high degree of inspectors on the site? I am urging the Health and Safety Executive to do some extra work and make sure it assesses the problem."

Jason Addy, a leading member of the Save Spodden Valley campaign, said work on the site had already led to the exposure of asbestos, through the felling of 200 trees last year and workers walking on contaminated soil.

That view was supported by Rochdale MP, Paul Rowen, who has accused the developers of 'downplaying' the problems at Turner's and said a 'black hole' existed between the council and the HSE.

Mrs Bliss said she was waiting on results of further tests carried out by council-hired asbestos experts.

She insisted it was impossible to survey the site 24-7, but insisted the developers would have to inform the HSE and give full details of work methods before anything could begin.

The Save Spodden Valley campaigners also criticised developers Countryside Properties for declining an invitation to attend the meeting.

The company was unavailable for comment as the Observer went to press.