An area of Totton, promoted as an ideal spot for recreational activity, is blighted by a dangerous toxic mix of chemicals.
A toxic cocktail of waste materials including arsenic and hydrocarbons was discovered at Eling Quay.
The foreshore, where toxic levels are at the highest was fenced off over two years ago.
The Environment Agency has been carrying out monitoring of the site on behalf of New Forest District Council. However, the conservative controlled authority has failed to take any action to remove the dangerous material.
There is a problem with reaching agreement over who pays for the toxic materials to be removed from site and treated.
The original contamination occurred many years ago. It is thought unlikely that the individuals or company responsible for causing the pollution will be identified.
Terry Scriven, Prospective MP for New Forest East, has called upon the District Council to sort out matters quickly. He says “I have often seen young people swimming at Eling Quay.
I’m not sure that with such a toxic cocktail of chemicals in the land, the water isn’t also polluted. It’s obviously essential that the matter is sorted out, whoever pays”.
Local Councillor Alan Weeks says “It does seem that it has taken a very long time to investigate and report the findings.
Local people will want the matter resolved. We can’t put up with a situation like this for much longer”.
Councillor David Harrison says “The area is being promoted by the Town Council as The Eling Experience.
I’m not sure that a fenced off area of toxic chemicals is really what people want to see. The District Council has been very slow at tackling the problem”.
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