Ince Estate Checks Confirm Widespread Pollution

But No Immediate Health Risks

Contamination of the Ince Central estate is widespread but of “low to moderate” risk, according to consultants appointed by the council to carry out detailed tests.

Experts Wardell Armstrong have advised that the chemical contamination is ‘pepper–potted’ across the estate, although there are no areas judged to be of high risk to health.

Now council housing chiefs have said they will look in detail at the three options put forward by the consultants and carry out further tests on the foundations of the houses before reaching a final decision on the best course of action.

They pledged today that they would continue to consult residents at every step, and praised the way they have reacted to the situation.

The main findings from the draft Wardell Armstrong report show that:

• Up to 18 different types of contaminated waste have been found, forming a “patchwork quilt” of contamination affecting many areas of the estate.
• The contamination is classed as being of “moderate to low risk to human health.”
• The risk to human health from eating vegetables and herbs grown on the estate is moderate to low.
• Analysis of dust samples that were taken indoors and outdoors on the estate do not reveal any risk to human health.
• The quality of the water under the ground is generally good and there has been no contamination of the drinking water.
• There is no problem with landfill gas in the area to the rear of The Grove where the former branch canal was filled in.
• Sulphates are one of the substances that have been found in the soil samples taken from across the estate. Sulphates are not considered to present any risk to human health but are linked with chemical attack on concrete that can result in damage to the foundations of the properties.

A specialist contractor will now take samples from the foundations and analyse them to find out if sulphates in the ground are affecting them.

Wardell Armstrong have put forward three possible options for dealing with the contamination:

• Option 1 — Covering the soils with a hard surface such as flagging or concrete.
• Option 2 — Providing a solid surface footpath around the properties and then replacing soil from the front and rear gardens.
• Option 3 — Demolition of the properties and then treatment of the cleared land.

Wigan and Leigh Housing’s Chief Executive, Peter Gee, said:

“The news that the whole estate is affected by the soil contamination has come as a big shock to us all. We had all hoped that the problem would be contained in a small section of the estate and that, despite some of the borehole results, we would not need to touch many parts of the estate.

“The utmost priority during this investigation is being given to the health and safety of residents. The Wardell Armstrong report has told us that the whole estate is affected by the soil contamination. The council cannot ignore that advice even if the risk is considered to be medium to low.

“We now need to carry out further tests and inspections on the foundations before we can finalise the options with residents. We will have to appoint a specialist contractor to do the testing and would expect that it may be another five or six weeks before we will have the results and it could take 3 or 4 months before we are clear on how we can proceed.

“We’ve discussed the findings in detail with the residents’ representatives. Demolition is the absolute last resort. At this stage our preferred option is to dig out the contaminated soil but we are concerned that this could damage the foundations. The first option doesn’t seem feasible because it does not get rid of the contamination.

“Whatever option we choose will create a great deal of disruption for residents. We need to consult closely with all of them and obtain a lot more information before we make final decisions.”

Local resident Hayley Sneddon said:

“We were shocked to hear the news that the whole estate is affected by the soil contamination. The council has been working with the residents’ group and has kept us well informed throughout the investigation.

“Residents have been provided with information via newsletters and through the advice team that was set up at the beginning of the investigation. Now that we know the full extent of the problem, we are keen to extend the residents’ group to get representation from all parts of the estate.

“This will enable more residents to be able to ask questions and give their views and those of their neighbours about the continuing investigation.”

Ince ward councillors David Molyneux and Joan Hurst have both been attending the tenants’ liaison group meetings, and today they praised residents for their patience:

“We want to thank local residents for their co-operation. We know the pressures they are under. They’ve been very understanding and deserve a lot of praise for the way they have handled it. Everyone now just wants it resolved and a solution found.”

Mr Gee added that the situation was complicated by the mix of council and some 80 privately owned properties. The law restricts what the council can do with privately owned properties.

Even with its own properties, the council will have to consider how any work can be financed and this is likely to involve the Government because of the nature and the large costs involved.

The final report from Wardell Armstrong will be a public document.

-ends-