Maidenhead & Windsor

Initial results from the Maidenhead Royal Borough-commissioned air quality survey in homes and gardens near Badnell's Pit, Maidenhead, show no cause for concern.

The precautionary study at four homes in and around Ray Lea Close, Maidenhead followed the identification of trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene in the soils at the pit edge and now the independent consultants' report gives the assurance that they are:

* well below the levels of concern and
* not likely to be of concern with regard to health.

Jonathan James, Maidenhead council's project manager for Badnell's Pit, said the results were as expected. He explained: "The council commissioned the study as a belt and braces approach to the safety of local residents after the substances were detected. Our consultants always considered the risk to be very low indeed but we wanted to take every precaution and to give residents the reassurance that their health is not in danger."

This week's report, presented to the Badnell's Pit consultative group this evening (Tuesday April 25), contains the results of the initial snapshot sampling. Small pen-sized pumps were used to draw air through testing tubes which were then sent for laboratory analysis. Some 14 samples were taken and the results in both homes and gardens showed very low levels of trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene and benzene.

To confirm these initial results a three-month air quality survey is also under way at all Maidenhead Ray Lea Close homes adjoining Badnell's Pit. Some 78 samples will be taken to give a measurement of the average levels of the chemicals over this longer period of time. The results will be available later in the summer.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead