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Toxic soil removal work is going well
THE first phase of work to clear contaminated land around almost 100 homes is well under way with only the 'odd hiccup' being reported by residents.
The work eventually started more than three years after the toxic soil was discovered and is now being undertaken with only minor delays and setbacks.
Phase one of the project, centred around gardens and public space at Seaton Carew, is due for completion with 11 properties having been attended to and the second stage, involving a further 14 properties, is due to begin this week.
Hartlepool Borough Council is overseeing the works in Wainwright Walk, Wainwright Close, Hornby Close, Cowley Close and Lithgo Close with removal work completed at the first 11 sites.
High levels of lead, arsenic and zinc were discovered on land belonging to 97 homes in October 2004.
The land is now being removed by contractors working on behalf of the council.
Seaton councillor Mike Turner said some residents had suffered minor problems as a result of the work, including damage to an electric cable, water pipe and wall.
He said people should use contact numbers they have been issued with to make sure any problems are dealt with to their satisfaction.
Coun Turner said: "It can't be a happy situation for people with the disruption they are facing but given the problems it seems people are bearing up well."
Homeowners claimed the contamination knocked up to 30,000 off property values and formed a residents' association to put pressure on officials.
After three years, Hartlepool Borough Council secured just over 1.9m from the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to do the work.
Margaret Mills, chairwoman of the Seaton Residents' Association, said: "As far as I can gather it seems to be progressing okay apart from a few hiccups, as you would imagine, and the contractors are putting right anything that happens.
"It has been quite a long battle with the powers-that-be to get the money from Defra."
The government department allocated the money from its 2007/8 Contaminated Land Capital Grants Scheme.
It had been due to be awarded from the previous year's pot but there was not enough funds left when the council applied, forcing the project to be rolled over.
The work, which started last month, is set to last for around 40 weeks.
A council spokesman said: "The contractor has been on site for six weeks now and the first phase is well under way.
"This involves 11 houses in the Wainwright Walk area.
"The soil has been removed from all 11 properties and the contractor is in the process of replacing this. We hope to complete the first phase in the next two to three weeks.
"We are aiming to start phase two later this week and this will involve a further 14 properties."
"The council is liaising very closely with the contractor and residents to try and keep the inconvenience to a minimum.
"There is regular communication with individual residents regarding the scheduling of the programme and there is a site office where people can raise any queries.
"The programme is expected to be completed by the end of the year and everyone is looking forward to this, when people's gardens will be restored for enjoyment by residents and future generations."
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Monday 28 May 2012
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