WORK starts on Monday on a major environmental study in and around the former Gatewarth landfill site at Warrington – a site which could contain radioactive materials, it is claimed.
Contractors working for the Environment Agency will drill boreholes and install groundwater and gas monitoring wells across the tipped area at Penketh and around the edges of the site.
This is because materials were dumped on the site between 1971 and 1988 which have the potential to affect the surrounding environment. The study aims to provide more information about the former tip and assess the risk posed by the buried materials.
But a row has flared because although a briefing is being held tonight (Friday) for borough councillors and a small number of residents said to be most likely to be affected by the drilling work, other interested people have been told they cannot attend the meeting at New Town House.
One of those barred from the meeting is local environmental campaigner John Mulhall (pictured).
He has lodged complaints with the borough council’s public protection department and the legal section.
Mr Mulhall said: “I have not been told why I am not allowed to attend the meeting, but if it is because the drilling is to take place in Penketh and I live in Whitecross, that is wrong.
“The bulk of the tipping took place in Whitecross and some of it was radioactive – I know because years ago I was shown where it was tipped by a man who drove one of the lorries tipping it.”
Mr Mulhall claims radioactive materials from one of the early nuclear reactors built by the UK Atomic Energy Authority at Risley were dumped there when the installations were dismantled.
He said: “Large numbers of fish have died in the St Helens Canal on several occasions and new trees which were planted in the area also died after a few years. I have always blamed contamination from the tip.
“Obviously this study has to be done – but why should the public be kept in the dark?”
Although councillors were notified about tonight’s briefing on Tuesday, nearby residents were only told about it when letters were delivered to their homes by hand yesterday (Thursday).
Mr Mulhall said: “Why were these letters only sent out at the last possible minute? Why is the briefing being held at 5pm on a Friday? It is obvious, they don’t want the public to attend the meeting.”
A member of a local parish council has also been told he cannot attend the briefing.
Officially the drilling is taking place now to reduce impact on the wildlife and sensitive ecology that the site supports.
Some boreholes may drilled on land between the canal and housing on Warton Close and Hamble, Kirkwall and Shoreham Drives.
Once installed, the boreholes will be used for gas and groundwater sampling. Samples will also be collected from local watercourses.
The area is used by local people for recreation and some drilling will take place close to footpaths. But every effort will be made to reduce disruption.
Residents have been advised not to approach equipment on site for their own safety and that of the contractors as well as to ensure the integrity of the data collected.
The work will take about three weeks and will be carried out on week days only.
Further information is available from the council on 01925 443322 or by email from [email protected] or, the
Environment Agency on 08708 506506 (Mon-Fri, 8am – 6pm) or by email [email protected]
Radioactive materials on tip – claim
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
10 Comments
This is a matter of public interest and public protection. Some years ago, the Agenda 21 Waste Group showed a video at the Town Hall to councillors, Agenda 21 members and the Environment Agency, showing baled grass, dead trees and red and yellow leachate seeping across public footpaths and burning the tarmac. As a result the farmer who leased the land was stopped from cutting the grass or using the land for grazing. Further more it has been the duty of the Environment Agency to monitor the existing wells and leachate pollution. Did they pass this information on to the owners of the site, Warrington Borough Council, every time they tested over the past 25 years?
One simple answer – the site has to close its come to the end of its life and it’s time for all residents to start enjoying theirs.
The report above says that the alleged dumping was carried out between 1971 and 1988 so closing the tip will not remove the immediate problem……IF “radioactive materials from one of the early nuclear reactors built by the UK Atomic Energy Authority at Risley were dumped there when the installations were dismantled”……. then residents had a right to know when this information was first disclosed or suspected to be true. Personally I find it very hard to believe that a company such as UKAEA would be allowed to dump their radioactive material there as sutely there are strict safety procedures in place for the decomissioning and depositing of radioactive material … but if there is any chance that they may be some then ANY concerned members of the public should be allowed to attend the meeting should they so wish to if not only to reasure them ….!!
The controls which exist today did not exist at the time these materials were dumped.
I don’t know about UKAEA Risley, but I am pretty sure low-grade radioactive materials from Capenhurst were dumped at Gatewarth.
i have walked my dog around the gateworth site for the last few years and seen the
brown leachate seeping out of the ground in many locations around the site so is it
still safe to do so.if the council have nothing to hide why is this meeting not open to
all not just the councillors.the public need answers.
The interests of the public are given no consideration in this town and dealings are done behind tightly closed doors!!!!.
shouldent they close the public access until they are sure it’s 100% safe for recreation?
“former” gatewarth tip? It was still operating when I was there a few months ago!
I wish to confirm that John Mulhall and others tried to get action on the Gatewarth Tip
several times on The Enviromental Services Focus Group prior to its summary disbandment without notice in 2005. Is there a Focus Group working with the council now. Agenda 21 has been trying to urge the council on Gatewarth for more than 20 years. See also “Waste tip investigation welcomed” comments
As councillor Mike Biggin, Chair of the Scrutiny Environment and Regeneration committee made a comment on the 5 february, i would like to remind him and the Environment Agency of the following 5 points;
1) On the 3 march 1990 Chris Buttler MP,stood up in the House of Commons and asked,should the Arpley Meadows Landfill site be registered to accept low radio active waste. The Minister David Tripper responded “yes” and this is recorded in hansard.Note:in 1990 what was classified as low as been reclassified.
2) Prior to the Arpley Meadows opening in 1998 these materials were dumped at the now closed Gatewarth landfill site that was given planning permission by Lancashire County Council and not Cheshire County Council.
3) Capenhurst had and still has centrifuges and RAF Sealand produced munitions and instrumentation for the pourpose of pierceing armoured plating equipment amongst other weapondry for the defence of the country. i do not believe this was disposed of irresponsably as probably in 1980 There was little knowledge and locations to store these toxic waste and disposal of industrial wastes.
4) Some 10 years ago,the council and the Environment Agency asked John Moores liverpool University to develop a project and plant 300 shrubs and tree samplings,that all died within 12 to 24 months.Therefore why did this occur at gatewarth?
5) Dont we have the right to know who knew what and when.i doubt that the Scrutiny Committee has the determination to discover and give residents clarity,transparency or any accountability on the matter that should have started to be sorted out 20 years ago. they may decide that a clean up or treatment of the site is not necessary as the vast majority has now seeped into the river mersey or elsewere.
THIS IS RELEVANT TO THE GATEWARTH CLOSED LANDFILL SITE ARTICLE PUBLISHED ON 04/02/11