Environment Agency Investigates Infilled Railway Cutting

Author: Ben Ashmore
Date published: 17-Jul-2008

Ashfield District Council have asked the Environment Agency to investigate, on their behalf, the possible presence of contamination at the former railway cutting to the West of Hucknall Town Centre.

The Council have chosen us to carry out the investigation because of our expertise in issues relating to groundwater.

We are working with Ashfield District Council to address any risks that the site may pose to human health and the environment as cost effectively as possible. We will use contractors, Enviros, to carry out the inspection. This will involve taking samples of soil, gas and groundwater.

Until the late 1970s the site was a railway cutting, cut about 8m into the limestone. In the late 1970s and early 1980s operators, who are no longer in existence, filled the site under a waste disposal licence. This material was meant to be inert building waste, but evidence suggests that it was not all inactive. We want to find out what is present at the site and whether it presents any risk.

Our investigation is going to involve taking some samples from peoples’ gardens. We are working closely with these households to ensure we cause minimal disturbance.

When we have got all the information we need we will make an assessment of the risks. This will inform our recommendation to Ashfield District Council who will decide whether to class the land as contaminated and a special site. If the land is determined as contaminated we will work with Ashfield District Council and the Health Protection Agency/Primary Care Trust to decide whether any clean-up is required.

For Further Information for media contact Lyn Fraley / Ben Ashmore on 0121 711 5829/5855. Contact for media only. All other enquiries contact 08708 506 506


Doc reference: 08/143wq

Contact: pressoffice@environment-agency.gov.uk