Is landfill site poisoned?

Aug 19 2008 By Ed Saunt

Short Lane

Short Lane

A former landfill site in Stanwell is being dug up to see if it is contaminated or is safe to be used as a sports ground or wildlife park.

The 1.2 hectare former sports ground in Short Lane has been redundant since the clubhouse and changing rooms were demolished following an arson attack in 2002.

The site has become plagued by gangs of youths riding motorbikes but Spelthorne Council wants to reopen the Green Belt land to the community.

It £22,000 on fencing last year to keep troublemakers off the land next to the Esso Depot but on September 1 contractors will begin a three-week investigation which will see 23 pits and holes of up to 10m dug.

A limited investigation of shallow soils has already been carried out and showed no significant contamination other than localised impacts from fly-tipping and the fire in 2002.

The analysis of the deeper soils is a far more difficult job as there are high pressure oil pipelines at the site connected to the neighbouring depot so health and safety precautions will be put in place.

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