§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 February 1998,Official Report, column 222, to what depth (a) the area surrounding the site of the Millennium Dome and (b) the remainder of the Greenwich peninsula have been cleared of contaminants. [37079]
§ Angela EagleThe whole of the Greenwich peninsula site has been remedied to render it safe for the known end uses. The remediation includes the removal or treatment on-site of contaminated soils, to depths of up to 14 metres in selected areas. Some of the treated material is re-used on the site and the remainder has been removed for disposal to suitable licensed landfill sites.
§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 February 1998,Official Report, column 222, what steps have been taken (a) to prevent contaminants from leaking to the surface and (b) to draw attention to the presence of contaminants below the surface on the Greenwich peninsula. [37076]
§ Angela EagleContamination that remains in the soil and groundwater is prevented from rising to the surface by a layer of coarse crushed concrete, which has been recycled from old building foundations. Free from fine material, this prevents the natural capillary rise of the groundwater into the overlying clean clay capping. This clay capping, in turn, prevents contact between the site users and any residual contamination in the ground. Full records of all investigations undertaken, and site remediation works carried out, are kept by English Partnerships, the current site owners, as part of the Health and Safety file, as required under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994. In accordance with the regulations, this documentation will be made available to any future site owner, or occupant, including contractors and will inform them of any potential hazards on the site.
§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 February 1998,Official Report, column 222, 5W what certification has been provided by (a) the Health and Safety Executive and (b) the Environment Agency concerning the removal of contaminants from the Greenwich peninsula. [37078]
§ Angela EagleNo certification process is operated by the Health and Safety Executive with regard to contaminated land. They work with contractors to ensure that contractors' site activity is conducted in a safe manner and in accordance with the current regulations.
The Environment Agency have been consulted at all stages of the investigation, design and construction of the remediation works and have confirmed their satisfaction with the remediation strategy.
§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 February 1998,Official Report, column 222, if (a) cyanide and (b) arsenic were among the contaminants removed from the site of the Millennium Dome or any other area on the Greenwich peninsula. [37077]
§ Angela EagleThe contaminated soils removed from the site have, on occasions, included arsenic and cyanide in various forms. All such soil has been disposed of, under strictly controlled procedures, to licensed landfill sites suitable to received it. These operations are part of the overall remediation strategy as agreed with the Environment Agency and London Borough of Greenwich.