Chemical dumping in Maisemore

For information in case you see this while out on your daily exercise in Maisemore.

Following an alert from a resident - who'd reported the matter to Tewkesbury BC yet was seeing no action - I went down to Maisemore Bridge yesterday to find dozens of large chemical containers dumped in the pull-in on the Gloucester side. 

 

 

 

And not only were they strewn indiscriminately but I found, by gently tapping them with my foot, that most of them had liquid in - some appeared to be full! And some appeared to be leaking! Right by the river!

 

 

Having taken photos I fired an email off to all and sundry - every concern I could think of who might be able to sort it out. This worked - my concerns and photos were forwarded by the police to Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and the case has been taken up by Richard Gordon, Station Manager, Operations Planning and Policies Manager. I also had a subsequent response from Jill Smith, one of our borough councillors.

An officer was sent out yesterday afternoon to check on the situation and the report back was that "Our Officer went to scene and assessed the situation. Local Authority were arranging for the site to be cordoned off and specialist waste disposal contractor to be brought in."

I went down this morning and found that the condoning off hadn't yet happened but at least all the containers are now upright. I've now counted them - there are forty-one 25 litre drums.

 

 

Needless to say any identifying details for the company they originated from have been removed. However I have taken photos of some of the labels and will be contacting the manufacturer to see whether they are able to advise considering the batch numbers are showing on some of them. If anyone knows anything about this illegal act, would they please contact me by email and I'll pass the details on - anonymously if requested.

david.jones@maisemore-pc.org.uk