Boo Hole improvement work completed

Residents living nearby the former Boo Hole landfill site in Heywood received welcome news this week. Work to remedy the problem of gas migrating from site has been completed, and extensive monitoring has shown the improvements have succeeded.

Back in 2009 the site was designated as contaminated land because although 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 they were unable to finance the work themselves. Rochdale Borough Council were awarded £300,000 from the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for the repair project.

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 has been installed, and extensive monitoring has taken place.

Councillor Martin Burke, Cabinet Member for Internal and Environmental Services said: “The situation has been a problem for the community around Boo Hole for several years, so I am pleased we have now completed the improvement work and can reassure residents that the work has been a success.

“This has been a painstaking process I know, and has taken several years of investigation, but the result has been worth it.”

Councillor Alan McCarthy, Chair of Heywood Township said: “I am pleased for the residents around Boo Hole that the de-contamination of the affected area has been finally satisfactorily resolved.”