Illegally dumped waste at former Turner Brothers Asbestos site eight months ago still hasn’t been removed

Illegally dumped waste at the former Turner Brothers Asbestos site

Waste that was illegally dumped at the former Turner Brothers Asbestos (TBA) site in Spodden Valley eight months ago still hasn’t been removed.

Mick Coats, who has registered a complaint about the waste with the Environmental Agency, said: “One of the companies filmed dumping rubbish was Digway Environmental based at Audenshaw. On the 16 July 2016 Rochdale Online reported the incident and published the film of the lorry dumping rubbish on the site.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/103956/outrage-as-former-asbestos-site-becomes-unauthorised-waste-dumping-ground

“My understanding is that considerable amounts of rubbish were tipped over a number of weeks, possibly months. As well as an environmental issue, I believe that public health is also under threat.”

Mr Coats also raised the issue at the Rochdale Township Committee on Wednesday 22 March during the open forum, but says there was no response from the councillors.

Councillor Cecile Biant said: “We already had a paper in front of us with the answers to the questions which the officer read out, and the ward councillors knew anyway. The Head of Public Protection had been on leave for two weeks, that is why Mick Coats did not get a specific response from Wendy Cocks, a fellow councillor, as she wanted to check for any updates beforehand. We discuss TBA frequently informally.

“Mick apparently failed to notice that the illegal tipping was mainly inert material which did not pose an immediate health risk. The Environment Agency are dealing with this, not the Council.”

In July 2016, Rochdale Online reported on residents’ outrage after the former TBA site was being used as a dumping ground for industrial waste, without permission from the Council.

Trucks were filmed arriving on an almost-daily basis at the site on Rooley Moor Road, unloading mounds of waste and driving away empty.

At the time, the Council said it was unaware of activities on the site and an investigation was launched by the Environment Agency Crime Unit.

By law, the tipping of waste materials requires planning consent and an environment permit is required by the Environment Agency.

An Environment Agency Spokesperson, said: “The Environment Agency takes waste crime very seriously, which is why we are continuing to fully investigate this incidence of dumped waste in Rochdale. We work with landowners and the industry, including trade bodies to increase understanding that the responsibility for any abandoned waste lies with the landowner. If you observe deposits of or suspect any illegal waste activity, please contact the Environment Agency’s Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60, or Crime stoppers on: 0800 555 111.”

The Environment Agency did not respond when asked when the rubbish would be removed or what action was taken against Digway Environmental.