Maidenhead & Windsor

Maidenhead Residents directly affected by the planned decontamination work at Badnell's Pit will be taking part in a new monitoring group to keep a watch on the work and help make sure it is carried out to the proper standards.

A report to next week's cabinet meeting (Thursday July 27) proposes the new group should meet on a regular basis once the two-year contract is underway.

Cllr Simon Werner, lead member for Maidenhead public protection, said the monitoring group will play a key part in making sure this controversial decontamination is done in the best interests of the local community.

He said: "We were bitterly disappointed by the inspector's decision to let the decontamination go ahead but now our main concern must be to make sure the project is carried out in the proper way.

"Public safety remains top of our agenda and there is no better way of getting it right than by having residents keeping watch. There needs to be constant vigilance and while there will be a council officer and an independent advisor on the site at all times, we must have local people as an integral part of the monitoring process."

Cllr Werner paid tribute to those who had already played a significant part in the Badnell's Pit story and he stressed that Maidenhead monitoring group meetings would be open for anyone to attend. He added: "The essence of the monitoring group must be openness and flexibility. While the people living nearest the site will be invited to be group members, there will be every opportunity for the wider community to be involved, hear what's happening and have their say."

In light of the technical and highly complex nature of the decontamination, the monitoring group is likely to be chaired by a Maidenhead council environmental health expert. However, it will be independent of the council, non-political and have its own terms of reference.

It is understood that the work at Badnell's Pit could start in about a year's time and the monitoring group is likely to meet at least every two weeks or more frequently if needed. It will also be attended by representatives of the council and its advisors, the contractors and the site owner to give residents a comprehensive view of site activities.

The group will be supported by the council's public protection team, who will be involved in monitoring the site. They will help ensure that on-site information is passed quickly to residents to keep them fully informed.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead