Contamination tests for 112 properties on old works site
A CAR, parked in a passing place on a narrow, single track road for several months, is causing problems for residents.
The black VW Bora was first spotted on the road that leads from Valley to Llanfair-ynNeubwll near Holyhead in July.
Initially residents thought it was parked by someone staying in the area.
But one local said it had not moved since it was first seen in July.
“The road is surprisingly busy and is used by milk tankers and agricultural traffic and if two of these vehicles meet near this car they are supposed to use the passing place to get past each other.
“This car is blocking that space causing difficulties,” he said.
Inquiries online have revealed the car has a valid road tax but its MOT expired earlier this year and there is no current insurance policy in force.
Although locked the vehicle has A GROUND survey of over 100 homes built on the site of an old copper works is to be carried out due to fears over possible contamination.
Anglesey Council will carry out garden soil sample studies at the Craig-y-Don Estate in Amlwch to check for contamination in an area which was used for smelting copper more than two centuries ago.
Amlwch has a proud industrial history and during the 19th Century became the world’s primary copper producer, with much of this intense activity located between the Parys Mountain mine and its port.
Before Craig-y-Don was built in the early 1950s, the site was often referred to as “Gwaith Hills” (Hill’s Works) a reference to the Hill’s Chemical Works which manufactured fertilizers there from around 1889. However, from around 1786, the site was also used for smelting copper.
According to council officers, they have already written to families living at Craig-y-Don to inform them that it currently has no evidence of any contamination in the ground.
But a spokesman confirmed that the council has a responsibility to investigate and assess sites with previous historical uses that could pos- been the subject of vandals with one rear window smashed.
The inside of the vehicle is untidy with drinks cartons in the footwell along with receipts and other pieces of paper. There are other items on the rear seats.
Loose change can be seen in the compartment between the front driving seats.
After it became apparent the car was not going to be moved residents contacted the police and Anglesey Council but neither body has taken action.
An Anglesey Council spokesman told the Mail: “Our initial investigation found that the vehicle was taxed and in a road worthy condition, and so it did not fall under Abandoned Vehicle Legislation. “In light of claims that the vehicle has been vandalised, we will investigate further and taken appropriate action.”
A North Wales Police spokesman said the vehicle was a matter for the council. sibly have caused contamination.
Council Leader, Cllr Llinos Medi, emphasised that keeping residents informed throughout the process would be a priority.
“We’ve written to all 112 properties providing detailed information about how the survey process will be undertaken and background to the site’s history and previous uses,” she said.
“We currently have no evidence of any contamination in the land and the survey is a precautionary measure.”
“The aim of the survey is to ensure that the land has not been contaminated by past industrial uses. With the cooperation of residents, all the gardens and amenity areas owned by the council will be assessed during December and January.
“We expect to receive a report outlining initial findings around March 2018.
“I realise that this will raise concerns, but I also want to reassure residents them that the county council will do everything to ensure appropriate support and guidance until this matter is resolved.”
A project group to monitor the work will be led by the head of hous- ing services, Shan Lloyd Williams.
She added, “A large number of properties on the estate are now in private ownership, but as this issues affects the whole estate we will ensure that the sampling process is undertaken on behalf of all residents, at no cost.
“These assessments are essential to reassure individual families and the local community.”
“We are encouraging all residents to complete an acceptance form which will give permission for a survey team to enter into their gardens to carry out the soil testing to a depth of around 600mm (two feet). This will have no lasting effect.”
A Welsh Government grant is paying for the study, while a council spokesman added that both the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales officials were being updated.
Clllr Aled Morris Jones, one of the three members for the Twrcelyn ward, said: “The first we were made aware, as councillors, was last week.
“But it is imperative that the residents are kept regularly informed with the latest, and that the council stands by the findings of the report’s conclusions, whatever they may be.”