Success For Spodden Valley Asbestos Campaigners
A campaign which started in 2005 to block the development of an old Asbestos factory into a residential estate has been successfull thanks to the residents and campaigners of Spodden Valley, Rochdale.
Unionsafety readers will recall the article by Jason Morley, Assistant Secretary of the NW H&S Co-ord at the time, when he first brought the 'Save Spodden Valley Campaign' to the attention of the NW BTU H&S Co-ord website.
With the headline: "Is this a SICK JOKE: 650 Homes and a Children's Nursery to be built on the world's largest asbestos textile factory?" the article raised the spectre of a new housing estate being built upon a site contaminated with asbestos as a result of Turner and Newall's activities on the land which had led to the destruction of the local ecology and wildlife.
Turner and Newall (Turner Brothers) where one of the UK's biggest manufacturers of Asbestos textiles and the Spodden Valley Rochdale factory was the world's biggest at the time.
Working practices allowed huge quantities of asbestos to be dumped in the surrounding area. As a result campaigners argued that the land was contaminated with asbestos and the risk to the health and the environment of simply building on top of the old factory site without a total environmental clean up of the area concerned would be scandalous and condemn future generations of the residents to asbestos ralated illnesses and cancer. The development plans never provided for a full and appropriate clean up of the sight according to the campaigners.
The NW BTU H&S Co-ord had first been contacted by Jason Addy one of the co-ordinators of the campaign whose Grandfather had died from asbestos related illness as a result of working at the asbestos factory and being exposed to levels of asbestos which at the time were denied to be a health risk.
Derek Maylor, Chair of the NW BTU H&S Co-ord recalled the beginnings of the campaign and told Unionsafety:
"Jason Addy attended our NW Safety Co-ord, then the NW Safety Forum, to get our support which of course we did. We easily gained CWU national support, resulting in CWU's Dave Joyce taking the issue to the TUC. Groups such as Save Spodden Valley are immensely important in the welfare of ordinary people. Jason and his friends refused to be bullied by a huge corporation and their work, steadfastness and commitment are inspirational to the rest of us. We congratulate them all."
Writing further to Jason directly on behalf of the NW BTU H&S Co-ord, Derek said, " I’ve looked at my asbestos files (with a sub folder “Spodden”) and the first e-mail I received from you was as long ago 3 March 2005 - at 11.43 to be precise. You then spoke to a CWU meeting in Preston, then Blackpool and so on.
We supported you wherever applicable and will continue to do so in the future if you keep us in the loop. Groups such as Save Spodden Valley are immensely important in the welfare of ordinary people so your work is widely appreciated.
You and your colleagues dedication, sheer hard graft and commitment have been inspirational and we congratulate you all on your success."
Derek wrote to his MP at the time in support of the campaign. You can read details of his letter as reported on this website here
Jason Addy, co-ordinator of the Save Spodden Valley campaign, commenting on the decision by Rochdale Council to refuse the 6yr old planning application for over 600 homes on the former Turner Brothers Asbestos site:
“This is very welcome news that has significance far beyond Rochdale.
The sound of those chainsaws destroying the woodland around Turners at dawn on that Saturday morning in May 2004 seemed to wake our whole town up.
Too many had watched loved ones wither away from asbestos disease only to be told that “nobody knew the dangers back then” many who faced vague threats that they could lose their Turners pensions if they spoke out and those who were told that there was no asbestos contamination, were not prepared to be insulted and bullied anymore.
They knew the dangers, they knew that huge amounts of asbestos were dumped on the site. The worm turned. After so much damage, disease and cover-up it was finally time to demand that people be put before profit. A once deferential mill town began to ask awkward questions that resulted in some shocking home truths."
Commenting on the campaign, Jason continued:
“The past 6 and an half years have seen an incredible team effort from many people and organisations who have given their time freely to ensure that facts are known about the site so that safe decisions can be made. This is true testament to the spirit, persistence and tenacity of Rochdalians."
Jason concluded with a warning for the future:
"This planning rejection isn't the end but it is a very important milestone. There is now an opportunity for a “Community Plan B” without Rochdale Council being shackled by this ridiculous planning application that has festered for far too long. There are many unresolved questions to be answered but hopefully the people of Rochdale will now be treated with more respect. Too many souls have been lost to asbestos disease as a result of past products and decisions made in the Spodden Valley.
The Spodden Valley has paid a bitter price to society. Like its victims, it is time to let the Turners site rest in peace as a safe “green lung” for future generations”.
See BBC North West Tonight interview with Jason Addy by clicking on his pic (opens your default video player on your pc)
Source: Jason Addy / Save Spodden Valley / Derek Maylor
