HC Deb 12 May 2004 vol 421 cc343-4W
Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) which councils and bodies are responsible for monitoring pollution on Two Tree Island in the constituencies of Castle Point and Southend West; [170825]

  1. (2) what assessment she has made of the risk to children on Two Tree Island of the accidental ingestion of dust or soil; [171527]
  2. (3) what the cost was of the Halcrow Report into Two Tree Island; and what steps have been taken to publicise the report's conclusions; [171528]
  3. (4) whether it is safe for the public to consume (a) vegetables and (b) fruit grown on Two Tree Island; [171529]
  4. (5) what estimate she has made of the cost of stopping the old Two Tree Island waste dump polluting the environment; [170829]
  5. (6) what assessment she has made of the potential and actual impact on (a) bird life, (b) marine life and (c) mammals of the pollutants within and seeping from the old Two Tree Island waste dump; [170830]
  6. (7) which areas of land on Two Tree Island may be subject to contamination from leakage from (a) old landfill and (b) old sewage works; [171530]
  7. (8) when repair work to Two Tree Island's sea wall was first identified as necessary; and when that work will commence; [171531]
  8. (9) if she will give advice to (a) walkers and (b) bathers regarding the pollutants in and seeping from the old Two Tree Island waste dump; [170831]
  9. (10) if she will list the health hazards to (a) walkers and (b) bathers around and on Canvey Island and Two Tree Island resulting from pollutants from the old Two Tree Island waste dump; [170832]
  10. (11) if she will list the toxic substances (a) within and (b) seeping into the Thames and surrounding areas from the old Two Tree Island waste dump; and if she will make a statement; [170833]
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  11. (12) what assessment she has made of the extent of leakage of pollutants from the old Two Tree Island waste dump; [170834]
  12. (13) if she will make a statement on the Halcrow Report into environmental problems associated with Two Tree Island in the Castle Point constituency; [170835]
  13. (14) what investigations have been undertaken by the Environment Agency into leachate seeping into the Thames from Two Tree Island. [171532]

Mr. Morley

The local authorities, that is Southend borough council and Castle Point borough council, are responsible for preventing pollution from this landfill site as it was closed before 1990. In this case, the local authority is also the landowner and is responsible for the sea defences.

I understand that Southend borough council commissioned a consultant, Halcrow, in 2001 to assess the risks associated with the sea defence failure at Two Tree Island and to prepare a management strategy. Following wide consultation with relevant bodies, including the Environment Agency, a report was produced that considered the options. The local authorities involved are considering action in light of the recommendations made in the report.

Questions about the pollution risks and the assessment of any health impacts associated with this landfill site are a matter for the local authorities.

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