Asbestos clean-up firm ‘stressed’ by complaints over project on Derby Road in Widnes

Apr 14 2011 by Oliver Clay, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THE BOSS responsible for cleaning up an asbestos-ridden site in Widnes has hit back at activists who oppose the project.

Adam Matthews, Green Remediation managing director, said the work to clear the former Marley Eternit works in Derby Road had been ‘stressful’ for staff and that activists’ claims were upsetting for residents.

He added that a string of complaints about the programme had culminated in a hearing at the High Court, and led to project delays.

It was due to finish last year.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had also visited the project six times, and did not find any problems.

Mr Matthews’s comments followed concerns from activist and Widnes North Residents Association chairman Peter Brewin, who has opposed the project.

Mr Brewin said the demolition of an office block has raised fresh fears that asbestos dust could be breathed in.

The building is the last to be removed.

The clean-up phase is due to finish tomorrow and workers will leave the site next week.

Mr Matthews said most residents are delighted with the end result.

The area is being cleared to make way for industrial units, a hotel and 123 homes.

Mr Matthews said: “Projects don’t usually receive two or three HSE visits and we’ve had six.

“We’ve provided more than 1,000 monitoring results.

“Mr Brewin has repeatedly contacted the HSE and we’ve had to stop working.

“The job has been completed safely. It was heavily audited by regulators including Halton Borough Council, the HSE and a third party company.”

Mr Brewin said if complaints caused delays then the HSE took them seriously enough to visit.