Alexander Harris Solicitors
Jump to navigation.

In Standish, Wigan a former colliery spoil tip that burned for over 2 years and which has only recently been put out has been causing grave concern to residents living nearby.

Broomfield Tip on Bradley Lane, Standish has existed since 1890. Filled with a high proportion of coal, it is thought that in 2002 the surface of Tip caught fire among the dead tree branches and pine needles. Fuelled with pockets of air trapped within the tipped materials and coal, the fire took hold and burned underground.

Fumes from the Tip, which are suspected to contain toxic chemicals, polluted the surrounding neighbourhood. Residents believe the chemical emissions from the Tip are responsible for a decline in their health and also damage to their property including their houses and cars.

From October 2003 the local Council employed an engineering firm to excavate the Tip and put out the fire. This work often made the air quality worse. Residents were advised to keep all windows and doors closed and air filters were fitted inside some of their houses. Dust covered their windows, they were unable to hang out their washing and their children could not play outside.

Residents are particlularly concerned about the impact that the Tip has had on their health. They have reported symptoms of sore/dry throats, headaches, fatigue, sore/irritable/dry/running eyes, eye infections, coughing, nausea, earache/ear infection, chest infections, depression and the aggravation of asthma. Some residents were relocated by the Council out of their homes and into local hotels to provide respite.

A residents' committee was formed to represent the views and wishes of the local community affected by the Tip. Disappointed with the action the Council were taking to address their concerns the committee called in Alexander Harris in May 2004.

More than 400 residents expressed concerns about the Tip and we were able to provide advice, coordinate an action plan and ensure that the residents' views were and still are conveyed to the Council. We helped to relocate vulnerable residents that were in immediate need of re-housing and obtained air quality data collected by the Council and their independent experts.

We are also investigating possible compensation claims for present and future ill-health and damage to property suffered. A letter of claim was sent to Wigan Council on 9th July 2004 on behalf of the residents living in the immediate area to the Tip outlining details of the claims.

Residents have been very organised and have grouped together to actively voice their concerns to their local MP's, MEP's, Councillors and the media over the last two years.

Discussions are now ongoing between residents and the Council as to how the Tip should now be redeveloped.

Broomfield Tip Residents' Focus Group Fact Sheet

Broomfield Tip Legal Advice
The residents have sought legal help and specialist advice from Alexander Harris Solicitors.
Should you want to join the legal action please contact Alexander Harris on 08700 77 88 77 or email a member of the Broomfield Tip team

If you have been affected by the Tip you may want to contact one of the residents' group members
Contact details for Broomfield Tip Residents' Focus Group
Email the Broomfield Tip Residents Group

Have your say
To post comments and details of you experiences please use the online discussion forum. There is a dedicated forum on Broomfield Tip whereby users can share information and get in contact with each other.

If you believe that you might have a legal claim relating to Broomfield Colliery Tip , please complete the online enquiry form or call 0870 024 0558. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a solicitor who specialises in Broomfield Colliery Tip .

If you have any comments in relation to Broomfield Colliery Tip , please use the online discussion forum.