Former Courtaulds Site
Former Courtaulds Site Investigation
Aerial photographs of site, FAQs, fact sheets and updates on the investigations taking place on former Courtaulds site.
Maps of former Courtaulds Site
Present Courtaulds Site
Courtaulds Site in 1960's
Housing at old Courtaulds Site
Letter to Residents of Ashbourne and Brackenridge - 15 February 2005
Dear Resident,
As you may know, your property is located within the boundary of the former Courtauld’s site. In December 2004, the Department of the Environment (DOE) was contacted by Akzo Nobel, the company which acquired Courtaulds plc in 1998, about the need for investigations to determine whether any contaminants remain from the former manufacturing processes on the site.
Since then the various central and local government organisations involved have been working together to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to the issue and that any concerns are addressed.
We should stress that there is no evidence of actual contamination on the site but, as a precautionary measure, we believe it would be sensible to take up an offer from Akzo Nobel to undertake site investigations with an initial phase beginning within the next few weeks, most probably in the area of vacant land to the north-west of the Ashbourne Manor and Brackenridge developments, though this is subject to discussions with the landowners concerned. In due course it is likely that some additional testing will also be undertaken across the former Courtaulds’ site as a whole but we will contact you again once the initial phase of the investigations is complete and keep you informed of developments.
We realise that you may have questions which you will want to put about this development and the Council and the Department of the Environment are establishing a dedicated team who will be available from 2pm on Thursday 17 February at the Museum & Civic Centre, 11 Antrim Street,
Carrickfergus, Tel. 028 9335 8098.
Yours sincerely
S PEOVER, Permanent Secretary, Department Of The Environment.
A CARDWELL, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Town Clerk & Chief Executive.
Frequently Asked Questions - 25 February 2005
Listed below are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding the former Courtaulds site at Carrickfergus.
PLEASE NOTE THE RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONS BELOW ARE BASED ON CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS FURTHER INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.
1. Question- What chemicals were used at the Carrickfergus site?
The site’s main industrial operations (between 1950 and 1980) included the manufacture and storage of chemicals and man-made fibres, including viscose. The chemicals produced and stored on site included sulphuric acid, carbon disulphide and hydrogen sulphide. In addition, other raw materials were transported and stored on site e.g. Sodium Hydroxide, Fuel Oils and Coal.
2. Question- What is Carbon Disulphide?
Carbon Disulphide was used in the manufacture of viscose rayon at the plant. It is an organic compound composed of Carbon and Sulphur. In its pure form it is a colourless volatile solvent and has a sweet aromatic smell. Commercial grades are often yellow in colour with an unpleasant (rotting cabbage) odour. It is significantly heavier than water and typically sinks in the ground.
3. Question- Is there asbestos present at this site?
There is no evidence that asbestos is present in the area of the residential development. However, it is possible that asbestos was widely used in the construction of the factory buildings. The potential presence of asbestos will be considered further in the site investigation.
4. Question- Is it safe/can we stay in our homes/children play in the gardens etc?
A precautionary approach is being exercised to investigate the land of the former Courtaulds Factory. Site records indicate that this residential area has had no previous industrial use, indeed it is known to have been used for agricultural purposes at the time. There is currently no evidence that Carbon Disulphide is present beneath any of the homes or gardens.
5. Question- Has the health of residents been affected?
There is no evidence to date that suggests any increased levels of ill health in the residents of Ashbourne Manor or Brackenridge estates. It is therefore not considered that there is reason, at present, for residents to change their lifestyle in any way.
6. Question- Is the drinking water supply safe?
The reservoir supplying the development with mains water is Dorisland, situated on the hillside above Carrickfergus. This water is supplied under pressure through cast iron or polyethylene (plastic) pipes. It is unlikely that Carbon Disulphide would contaminate the water supply.
7. Question- What action is being taken on this situation?
a. The Council, Planning Service, Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and Akzo Nobel, (the Dutch company who acquired Courtaulds Plc in the late 1990’s) are liaising closely on the appropriate course of action.
b. Akzo Nobel have offered to undertake detailed site investigations to determine the presence or otherwise of contaminants and will be carrying out these actions.
c. EHS and the Council will agree the scope of the site investigations with Akzo Nobel and assess the results of their investigations. They will be supported by a technical steering group involving experts in the field.
d. In the meantime, the Council will be contacting residents to advise them of the progress of the investigations and of dates for any public meetings likely to be held. They will continue to update their website with the latest information and maintain the Information Centre and Helpline at their offices.
8. Question- How long will the site investigations take? Where will they be done?
a. The investigation will be undertaken in a phased manner. The initial investigations will focus on those areas within the former Courtaulds site where it is known that the specific chemicals were manufactured, stored and/or disposed of. Depending on the outcome of this phase the need for further sampling and analysis will be determined.
b. A further update on the timescales for the investigations will be provided as soon as they have been finalised.
9. Question- What will the site investigation involve?
1. The first phase of the investigation is likely to involve:
An initial screening using specialist equipment mounted on a lorry.
Installation of boreholes and sampling.
Soil sampling at the surface and below.
Air quality monitoring, depending on what is found.
2. Samples will be analysed for key contaminants by an independent and professionally accredited laboratory.
3. If contaminants are detected, the results of the investigation will be subject to a quantitative risk assessment to determine if they present an unacceptable risk to human health or to the environment.
10. Question- What is meant by risk assessment?
Risk assessment is the process of identifying, assessing and evaluating the health and environmental risks that may be associated with a hazard.
11. Question- What is meant by a hazard?
A hazard is a property or situation that in particular circumstances could lead to harm or pollution.
12. Question- If contamination is found, what can be done?
Depending on the outcome of the site investigation and the risk assessment, it may be necessary to consider a suitable remediation strategy, taking into account the remediation options currently available.
13. Question-What is remediation?
Remediation is action taken to prevent or minimise or remedy or mitigate the effects of any identified unacceptable risks.
14. Question- What will happen to the value of my property?
Until the appropriate tests have been carried out it is not possible to answer this question. Once the test results are known and should no contamination be detected, it is anticipated that property values will be in line with the prevailing market conditions in Carrickfergus.
THESE FAQS HAVE BEEN PREPARED BY DOE IN CONSULTATION WITH CBC ENV. SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND NHSSB PUBLIC HEALTH MEDICINE AND WILL BE UPDATED AS NEW INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.
Testing Begins at former Courtaulds Site
Letter to Residents - 30 March 2005
Dear Resident
The Council has now received information from the company Akzo Nobel who are carrying out the site investigations indicating that work in connection with the investigation is now provisionally scheduled to begin in the week beginning Monday 4 April 2005.
The work will comprise preliminary investigations conducted within the areas of the former factory main site and the carbon disulphide (CS2) manufacturing area. No activity within any residential areas will be undertaken at this stage.
This preliminary work phase is expected to take approximately 5-10 days.
The work will consist of ground investigations by a small party of up to 6 people, using a single lorry carrying specialised monitoring equipment.
Some enabling work will be necessary to ensure clear access for the investigation. There will be some noise associated with clearing the areas and the operation of the lorry, but any other disturbance, such as from dust or odour, should be minimal.
Working hours will be strictly limited to weekday daylight hours from 08.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. No work will be undertaken on Saturdays or Sundays.
Following completion of the work, the results from this preliminary phase will be evaluated to determine what further investigations, if any, are required in other areas of the former Courtaulds site.
Akzo Nobel, which acquired the Courtaulds company in 1998, has offered to undertake this preliminary investigation, which is being conducted in consultation with the Department of the Environment and Carrickfergus Borough Council. Akzo Nobel has appointed CEL International Ltd, an independent engineering and project management consultancy to advise, conduct and manage the investigation.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Information Centre.
Yours faithfully
ALAN A C CARDWELL
Town Clerk & Chief Executive
Test Engineers Arrive on Site - 6 April 2005
Testing has begun at the former Courtaulds site in Carrickfergus. Initial investigations will be focused on the area between Brackenridge and the railway line.
Should you have any queries please do not hesitate the Information Centre, Tel 028 93358 098, email info_envhealth@carrickfergus.org
Testing Begins - 2 June 2005
The process of testing the gardens in Brackenridge and Ashbourne Manor started last week. (23 May 2005).
To date approximately 12 gardens have been tested, the testing in each garden is usually completed in one day.
The testing involves a team of 4, who use a hand held geo-probe, similar in size to a pneumatic drill, to sink probes roughly 6cm in width into the ground. See Photo.
The core samples from the probe are then removed and sent for analysis.
All residents who have returned their Access Agreements will be contacted in due course to arrange a date when their garden will be tested.
The results from the first tests are expected in four weeks.
A fact sheet provided by Environmental and Remediation Services giving details of the garden testing will be circulated to all residents. It's text appears below together with a Technical Information Line number.
Tel 0800 505 3547
SOIL INVESTIGATION
FACTSHEET
The following information is intended to help answer some of your questions about the forthcoming soil investigation work.
• Why is the work being undertaken? The investigation work is needed to check whether there is any contamination in the soil beneath some back gardens in the Ashbourne Manor and Brackenridge estates.
• Where will the work take place? The investigations will take place in the back gardens of selected houses. A small amount of extra work may also be undertaken on the roads of the Ashbourne Manor and Brackenridge estates.
• What work is going to be undertaken? During the investigation work we will construct a number of probe holes in each garden. These holes will be about 5cm (2”) wide and around 4m (13’) deep. There will typically be 5 holes in each garden. In the larger gardens slightly more holes may be needed. The holes will be made using portable equipment. The equipment will be used to push a series of plastic tubes into the ground. When each tube is pulled out of the ground, it will be full of soil. A number of soil samples will be sent for testing at a chemical laboratory. If we find any water within the garden soils we will also take a water sample and send this to the laboratory for testing.
The equipment which will be used for constructing the probe holes is shown in the attached photographs.
• Who is going to do the work? The investigation work will be undertaken by a company called Geotechnical and Environmental Services (G&ES). G&ES are a well-known firm of professional site investigation contractors. The work undertaken by G&ES will be supervised at all times by an independent environmental specialist working for a company called Environmental and Remediation Services Ltd (E&RS). The specialist will be responsible for ensuring that all work undertaken by G&ES is to the highest possible standard.
From time to time, the supervising specialist may ask for help from other staff based on the Carrickfergus site. These extra staff will help out with any general tasks such as laying protective plastic sheeting within the gardens to help minimise any disturbance from the work.
A surveyor will visit your garden after the drilling works to map the holes. This should take around 15 minutes.
• How long will the work take? In most cases the work should last for no more than one day. During this time we will try and work only during the times of the day which are convenient to each resident. In a few gardens the work may last for more than one day. We will discuss the need for longer working periods with each resident before any work begins.
• When will the work take place? The work we take place at a date that is convenient to you. We will discuss this with you before any work begins.
• Will it be safe for me or my family to be in our garden? Yes, but for your own comfort you may wish to avoid the garden when the work is taking place. Some noise and vibration will be unavoidable. We will make sure that the work is as safe as possible and the work area will be fenced off with temporary fencing. We would prefer that children do not play in the garden but, if you wish them to do so, please ensure that they are supervised at all times when the work is taking place.
• Will the work damage my garden? The investigation methods have been carefully chosen to minimise any disturbance to the gardens. Any disturbance caused by the work will be repaired as soon as possible in order to return each garden to its original condition. We will always endeavour to arrange our drilling around ‘special’ things e.g. fishponds, cherished shrubs etc.
• When will I receive the results? You will normally receive a report containing your results within 28 days of the sampling.
• How I can be confident of these results? We are using an independent, well-known and accredited laboratory to analyse the samples. We have appointed a specialist quality control adviser to ensure that the sampling method follows best practice from start to finish.
• What will these results mean? E&RS will always discuss the results of the testing in your garden with you.
Further information:
If you have any further questions about the planned work, please contact the technical information line on freephone 0800 505 3547.
Site Investigation Update - 22 June 2005
Contractors Employee and Public Indemnity Insurance Cover
A number of residents have queried their position with regard to indemnity in relation to the contractors carrying out investigative work in their gardens.
The contractors (CEL-E&RS Ltd, ESI Ltd, TAL Ltd and GES) carrying out this investigative work have forwarded their insurance documents relating to Employee and Public indemnity to Carrickfergus Borough Council. These documents have been examined by staff from the Council’s Finance Department who stated the following,
“From the information produced it would appear these Companies carry what is regarded as sufficient cover, which is in date at present”.
Testing of Gardens Continues
The process of testing the gardens in Brackenridge and Ashbourne Manor is continuing.
To date approximately 30 gardens have been tested, the results from the first gardens tested, during the period 24th to 27th May, are expected to be available and released to those householders next week.
Over half the householders in Ashbourne Manor and Brackenridge have now returned their Access Agreements and they are in the process of being contacted by Environmental and Remediation Services Ltd to arrange a date when their gardens will be tested.
Environmental and Remediation Services Ltd Technical Information Line. Tel 0800 505 3547
Notification of Test Results
Approximately 28 days from testing the results should become available. These will be delivered personally, usually on a Tuesday evening, by representatives of Carrickfergus Borough Council and Environmental Remediation Services/Cortex. An appointment will be made with householders in advance, although definite times cannot be given.
All householders will receive a personal visit during which representatives will endeavour to answer any questions you may have. The delivery of results personally to the householder is not an indication of the findings of the test results.
The decision to make personal visits to each household was made on the basis that the information given is the householders’ - it is their choice if they wish to share this information with neighbours, friends, etc. Council will not discuss individual results with anyone other than the relevant householder.
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