Work to commence at former landfill improvement

Work is to commence to remedy the problem of gas migrating from the former Boo Hole landfill site in Heywood this summer after the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) confirmed they will fund the £300,000 repair project.

Last year residents living nearby were informed that the site had been designated as contaminated land in accordance with the 1990 Environmental Protection Act. Although there was only minimal evidence of gas migrating from the site and investigations did not identify the presence of gas inside nearby properties, the council still said it represented ‘an unacceptable risk to neighbouring areas’.

Discussions with the company responsible for the original pollution failed to reach a resolution after the company were unable to finance the work themselves.

Following the announcement that DEFRA have accepted the proposal the council will shortly be awarding a contract for the work which will involve placing a passive barrier (a series of boreholes with special vent pipes) to vent the migrating gas to the atmosphere before it can leave the site. The first stage will be the detailed design of the barrier, with the works being undertaken over the summer.

Tipping took place at the site, located between Bury Old Road and Bury New Road until the 1990’s, following which a series of investigations were commissioned by the council after concerns were raised that gas, produced by the breakdown of wood, paper and other organic wastes was being generated. Regular monitoring has been done since 2003, and although landfill gas was not found in nearby properties, it is migrating through the adjacent underlying natural sand deposits.

Andy Gumbley, Environmental Control Manager at Rochdale Borough Council said he is pleased that the issue can now be addressed: “The situation has been a problem for the community around Boo Hole for several years, and whilst we hoped that the costs could be met by the original polluter I am delighted that DEFRA have accepted our proposal and will fund this important work. We will be keeping local residents informed of progress.”

A public ‘drop in’ day at Heady Hill Community Centre will be held before the work starts so residents can have their questions answered and talk to council staff.