Rowen welcomes Spodden Valley recognition

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 14th May 2008

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen was pleased to attend a meeting of the Parliamentary Asbestos Group, in which the work of local campaign group Save Spodden Valley was singled out for praise. The praise is a boost for the group reaches its fourth anniversary.

Mr Rowen said: "I am pleased that the Save Spodden Valley Group is receiving national recognition for the excellent work they carrying out in Rochdale. I have worked very closely with the group to ensure the health and well being of people living near the site as well as our environment.

"The DVD I produced on the issue is on my website and just goes to show the strength of feeling and the commitment of people like Jason and Derek Addy and the whole group.

"I think in recognition of the 4 years of campaigning - MMC Properties should come clean about their plans for the site as they've sat on this land for 4 years. If the job is too big they move along and give the Council an opportunity to pursue the grants available to remediate the site and look at things like recreational use of the site.

"I hope this timely boost from this influential Parliamentary Group gives our campaigners the impetus they need to complete their task. This has been classic case of David versus Goliath and Goliath is on the ropes.

"The Save Spodden Valley Campaigners continue to have my full support and it's good to see their good work being praised in the mother of all Parliaments."