As you can see the demolition work is going on a pace, I have made some enquiries about possible health and environmental implications; this is tempered by the urgent need to get the site developed.One aspect that concerns me is the dust coming from the site that may be contaminated, another is the ground water pollution. As most of you who read this blog know I have a background in science and engineering, so I sometimes see things from that perspective.
My understanding of the situation is that this site has been partly remediated and that is probably the most contaminated part of the site, click on the link to see what the council have to say about chemicals present on the site http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/410b/id11.htm
I believe that the council is taking my concerns seriously, but has had some difficulties from the gas companies involved so that further intervention may be necessary, many thanks to Alan who has offered to help with this one, for those of you who wish to know more about various aspects of this issue here is the link to his website http://www.hatheway.net/
Click on the link for more pictures of the demolition http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/410b/id12.htm the dust cloud that appeared to be emanating from the site may show up in some of the pictures, depending on your computer monitor.
The other aspect that concerned me were the groundwater implications, click on the link to relevant extracts to the replies I have had about this http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/410b/id13.htm while I accept that it is unlikely that the gasworks contamination would impact on our drinking water, I was interested to see the adit leading from Ramsgate to the water abstraction point.
It certainly makes one aware of how vulnerable our aquifer is to pollution from within the town.
Lord of the Manor pumping station is in a bit of a difficult position one way and another, with one adit running under Manston runway and the other a fairly built up area, sorry the maps didn’t line up see http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/410b/id14.htm
Anyway on a lighter note – apart from the ones that came out too dark that is – here are the pictures of Ramsgate from the last couple of days http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/410b/id15.htm
HSE should know about what is going on and have been informed with method statements etc check with them as for the state of play Michael.
ReplyDeleteDon I have raised the matter officially with both TDCs contaminated land officer and the HSE, the problem though is this is really a wider issue, involving secretive gas companies and very costly remediation work.
ReplyDeleteA quick google shows that the decontamination of old gas works is a common problem and article/planning papers can be found for such places as basingstoke, torbay, southend-on-sea etc. So I dont think Ramsgate will be unique. But maybe Ramsgate produced laughing gas!
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteDecontamination works took place on the site of the Hollywood bowl and car park site in Margate, so TDC officers will have data and background knowledge on clearing such a site.
Also remember there was a scare at Meregate when it was realised the site was land raised with coal waste originating from the gas and iron industry. Fortunately all teasts prooved negative, likewise there is data on that.