Flood gardens ‘are contaminated’

Tests on some gardens in Alney Island, which have only just recovered after last years heavy flooding, confirmed that some were contaminated with deadly toxins, reports The Citizen.

People living in the area have been told that they will have to pay the clean-up bills themselves if tests confirm their gardens are contaminated.

Lead and the carcinogenic chemical benzo-a-pyrene have been found in the land, which was previously a site of heavy industry, including lime and brick works.

Stephen Moreby, contaminated land officer for Gloucestershire City Council told the newspaper that there were statutory duties which had to be followed.

“The contamination has been there for many years and now we have the opportunity to clean it up,” he added.

If the council class the land as contaminated and apply to Defra for funding then the clean-up bill could be reduced.