Contact

Michael Moore Senior Contaminated Land Officer t. 01706 924107 e. peel.lane@rochdale.gov.uk w. www.rochdale.gov.uk/pollution

Land quality investigation at the Kelvin Avenue former landfill site

Keeping you informed and up to date November 2011
This leaflet explains why the investigation is being undertaken, what you can expect during the investigation and what will happen next.

www.rochdale.gov.uk/pollution

www.rochdale.gov.uk/pollution

Background
In 2000, Part 2A of the 1990 Environmental Protection Act came into force, requiring councils to check for sites which may meet the legal definition of contaminated land. The Kelvin Avenue former landfill is currently used as a public open space with a community centre. It is, therefore, considered to be a sensitive site. In addition the site is situated on a type of rock which can store water which may be used for domestic and commercial use.

Historical use of the Kelvin Avenue site

Historical maps of the area show there was a sewage works from the early 1900s until the 1950s and some infilling began in the early 1900s. The area was landfilled in the post-war period and believed to have been completed by the 1960s. When the motorway was built a large portion of the landfill was re-located elsewhere but the landfill near to Kelvin Avenue was not removed. The Community Centre was built in the 1960s and the site around it was landscaped in 1999 for playing fields.

Action to be taken
An Environmental Ground Investigation will be conducted to assess the potential risks. This will involve installing bore holes with monitoring points and taking soil samples to identify the type of materials on site. Ground (or landfill) gas and ground water will then be monitored for up to 6 months.

How this affects you

The work will involve the use of machinery and will last about two weeks. It is not expected that any public roads or pathways will need to be closed. Any disruption will be kept to a minimum and, whilst there will be some noise, working hours will be kept to between 8am and 5pm to minimise any inconvenience. There will be no work at weekends.

www.rochdale.gov.uk/pollution