Government say no extra funding for TBA site

Rochdale MP, Paul Rowen, has received confirmation of the news he was dreading; the Government will not help with the anticipated cost of investigating contamination on the former TBA site in Rochdale. The cost of the investigation has rocketed to £80,000. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have written to Paul stating: "the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has advised us that they do not have any funding available which could be used in this type of situation."

Paul said, "This is a blow, but it wasn't unexpected - it now becomes critical that Rochdale Council recoup the £80,000 from the potential developer. I await the Atkins Report with interest and I will continue to push in the Commons for the Government to take contaminated brown field sites more seriously. The concerted campaign from the Save Spodden Valley Group, Councillors and other politicians like myself is finally paying off."

Paul Rowen held an adjournment debate on the issue of contaminated brown field sites in June. Ben Bradshaw MP (DEFRA) said in his letter to Paul: "I am pleased to say that since your earlier adjournment debate in June the Environment Agency has made asbestos a priority substance for review and development of further guidance," and that, "the intention is to get things done as quickly as possible."

Paul Rowen continued, "The Government are starting to get their act together and I welcome the fact that the Environment Agency has made asbestos a priority. We look forward to the safe development of the site - we are not against the building of these housse, but we want to see it done safely so it poses no danger to future generations of Rochdalians."