Contaminated land case study - Alney Island

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced it will completely fund the £300,000 remediation programme for six residential properties located on contaminated land in Alney Island.

Initial concerns were raised when flood defence work, carried out in 2006 by the Environment Agency, identified elevated levels of contaminants in the ground including lead and the carcinogenic chemical benzo-a-pyrene. Subsequent investigations revealed the area had a history of industrial use, and the site had previously been used as a brick works, an iron foundry and for waste disposal.

A spokesman for Gloucester City Council said that work on the affected houses would take place throughout the summer and added the money was a huge boost for residents: 'We are delighted with this grant award from Defra. I know that some local residents have been very concerned about the potential costs to them of the clean-up operation'.

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