Removal of rubble at former TBA site

Following the MMC email leaked to Save Spodden Valley, Rochdale Council has issued a statement explaining that arrangements have been made for the second rubble stockpile ('crush') at the TBA site in Rochdale to be moved, starting Wednesday 25 October.  The 1200 tonnes of non hazardous waste is being disposed of to Pilsworth landfill site.  

The rubble, which originates from office buildings demolished on the site a few years ago, will be transported to landfill in Bury. 

The Environment Agency, Health and Safety Executive and Rochdale Council have checked the rubble and have agreed with site owners MMC that it can be removed provided that the company operates in strict accordance with the agreed method.  

This means that the rubble will be loaded into sheeted vehicles and during loading the company will be undertaking visual checks to ensure that there are no unacceptable materials or evidence of more serious contamination buried underneath.

Connelly Demolitions will be in control of the waste movements and a registered waste contractor is contracted to transport the rubble to the landfill site.  A duty of care waste transfer note will accompany each load and Viridor will check that the paperwork is correct before it is allowed to be deposited.  

The risk posed by the movement of the rubble is classed as low by all agencies involved.  It is expected to take 3 - 4 days to remove.

However, Heywood MP Jim Dobbin MP, having received information on Monday 23 October that the asbestos rubble is to be transported through Heywood to the Landfill at Bury, is making enquiries to ensure that the removal and transportation of the waste is carried out safely. He said: "The rubble must be covered and transported via the safest routes and not through our communities. Every precaution must be taken to ensure that the community is not put at risk."

Councillor Wera Hobhouse said: "I am only happy if the removal of the rubble is fully compliant with the methodology of the Atkins report."

Leader of the Council, Alan Taylor said: "We realise that this is a controversial issue and are doing everything in our power to ensure that the rubble is transported safely.  We have no powers to stop this being moved, but we insist on absolute vigilance and extra officers will be present from Wednesday.  We would also ask the company to give us greater notice in future and have requested that they avoid Heywood town centre. We have taken decisive action to protect the residents of Heywood and the rest of our borough."