Curly's Corner Shop, the blog!

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Contaminated Gateshead

Contaminated land - a more responsible reaction

I'm quite pleased by the response shown by Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council to the discovery of contaminants found in soil at Saltmeadows and Keelman's Way footpath alongside the River Tyne, showing a far more responsible approach to the problem than that displayed by South Tyneside Council and the National Trust after the discovery of carcinogens and other toxins at Trow Quarry.
Whilst researching for possible dioxins deposited by the former Byker incinerator on the North bank of the Tyne, Newcastle University researchers found a completely different set of dioxins.
Gateshead Council immediately decided to close off the affected areas to the public and issue strong advice to stay away from the area until more detailed investigations have taken place. People have been warned to stay off the site and not to use any footpaths that cross it, they have also been warned not to fish from the riverbanks or to touch the soil or mud at these locations. The Council has closed the site for at least three months and temporarily diverted the Keelman's Way footpath away from the area.

What a difference in attitude towards public safety compared to that displayed by the National Trust and our Council. A full sixteen months after the discovery of methane, carbon monoxide, mercury, lead, benzo (a) pyrates (carcinogens that cause cancers), brown, blue, and white asbestos and other toxins, all paths are still open, the site can be traversed by adults and children alike, and access to the most exposed parts of the former landfill site is still free and easy. This, despite an assurance from the National Trust in early February that a new fence would be erected to prevent access to the seaward exposed face of the site.

Why is it that one Tyneside Council can take a responsible attitude to public safety, yet the people of South Tyneside, and our visitors, have to continually be exposed to, as yet, unknown long term risks?

Surely it is time now for the Council and the National Trust to put it's house in order and close the most at risk areas until remediation work has started. It is time, finally, to put the health and safety of the public first, and the reputation of the relevant authorities last!

Gateshead Council's press statement - click here
Story as reported in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle - click here

# posted by Curly : 4:50 pm

Comments:

Want to know a secret???

Gateshead have known for a long time about this one... I mean... it was found due to the Byker incinerator testing in 2000.

Oh, and dioxins... much more dangerous that Trow.

# posted by

Anonymous : 6:28 pm

I'm intrigued, how much more can you tell? How long have they known about it, and what made them come to the decision to announce closures now?

Please tell if you can.

# posted by

Curly : 7:44 pm