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20 Jan 03Site Investigation Report for Marshes End
Officers at Poole Council have assessed the findings of the second phase ground assessment of a site at Marshes End, Creekmoor.
Peter Pawlowski, Head of Consumer Protection Services, said: "This area is known to have been reclaimed from the harbour partly using domestic waste in the early 1970’s. The report should reassure residents that gas migration from the site is not an issue and that the waters adjacent to the site show no signs of leakage of contaminants. No measures are necessary in respect of chemicals identified on site, or to address migration of gas."
Results of testing, by consultants employed by the Council, provide more detail as to site conditions reported in the previous study in 2000. Sampling shows that water entering Holes Bay shows no sign of contamination.
Monitoring has shown that gas is coming from the filled area but has not confirmed that any off-site migration is taking place. Peat underlies some of the surrounding area, which naturally produces gases and may explain the low quantities of gas detected.
The report highlights that if the area was to be developed, gas could potentially migrate off-site and that specific constructional details would be required in order to deal with this.
The report has also shown that Japanese knotweed is present on the site, this is an evasive plant and the Council has a duty to eradicate it. The Council will be working with the Environment Agency and a specialist contractor to eradicate it and prevent it from spreading.
Cllr Bob Williams, Executive Portfolio Holder for Environment & Regeneration, said: "The Council has a duty to assess any land within the Borough that may be contaminated. This report is the second phase of a continuing assessment on land at Marshes End. Council officers with expertise in this area have assessed the information in the report in great detail and concluded that the potential risks identified do not require immediate remedial action. The next phase of the assessment will help us quantify the current findings and move us forward in planning any future use."
Land at the eastern end of Marshes End, Creekmoor, was reclaimed from mudflats during the construction of the Upton Bypass (A3049). As part of the construction, the land was used as a permitted landfill site during the early 1970’s. Land on the site is made up of clay, sand, peat and gravel in addition to domestic waste including wood, glass, plastic, paper, concrete, metal and fabric, which is loosely compacted, allowing gases to naturally disperse.
Under Government legislation (Environmental Protection Act 1990), local authorities have a duty to investigate land that may be contaminated. Poole is one of the first local authorities to have a strategy in place to identify sites within their own area for ground investigation and to implement investigations which will determine the type and extent of made-up land and any risk of pollution.
Jeff Morley, Consumer Protection Services, tel: (01202) 261710
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