Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 July 1998. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 July 1998 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment his Department has made of water quality in Herald Way marsh; and what proportion of the impurities found comes from (a) industrial and (b) agricultural sources.

Answer: Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of water quality in Herald Way marsh; and what proportion of the impurities found comes from (a) industrial and (b) agricultural sources. [50123] Angela Eagle: The Environment Agency, which is responsible for monitoring water quality, is not aware of any direct industrial or agricultural sources of pollution of the Herald Way marsh. The land beneath the marsh is, however, contaminated by longstanding deposits of colliery waste. Leachability tests have indicated that the contaminants are relatively immobile and therefore pose a negligible risk to the environment if left in-situ. Since construction activity could disturb the contaminants, the Agency has asked the local planning authority to request detailed assessment of the environmental implications of all proposed developments in the area.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 316 c120W; 50123
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Agriculture Land Pollution Water Sites of special scientific interest Industrial waste Herald Way Marshes