Chris Twigg
2007-10-17 22:43:32 UTC
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2007/10/17/mines-re-opened-after-30-years-of-inspection-84229-19960747/
THE anhydrite mines in Billingham have been opened for the first time in
almost 30 years.
Inspectors have explored the cavernous mines in a bid to assess whether they
are in a suitable condition for use as a long-term disposal facility for
low-hazard waste.
NPL Estates Limited is behind the plans to reopen the ICI-owned mine.
Specialist mining engineers and scientists spent five days examining the
mine on foot and taking samples of rock.
A spokesman for ICI today confirmed tests had been carried out and
developers were awaiting the results.
"The anhydrite mine inspection took place safely and as planned in early
September," he said. "The mine has now been recapped. Specialist mining
engineers and scientists spent five days walking sections of the mine that
had been subject to a previous detailed examination around 30 years ago.
They also took rock samples for analysis."
A report on the inspection findings is now being prepared by specialist
consultants co-ordinating the work and will be issued either at the end of
the year or early 2008.
The ICI spokesman added: "As soon as it is available, information in the
report will be shared with the group of residents led by Kevin Pitt of the
Billingham Partnership Board which has been meeting ICI and NPL Estates
since the start of the year, Stockton Council, the Environment Agency and
the Mines Inspectorate."
Kevin Pitt is manager of the Billingham Partnership Board, which provides a
forum for residents and groups involved in the regeneration of the town.
"We will now have to wait and see the results of the inspection," he said.
"Then we can put the relevant questions to those involved with the
proposals."
The report will also be shared with residents opposed to the plans. They
recently handed in a petition of more than 2,000 signatures to Stockton
Council.
Ray McCall, one of those against the plans, said: "My feelings about the
proposals haven't changed. It would be disastrous for the town if they go
ahead."
The mines were worked from 1927 until 1971, and closed when the mine shaft
was capped off in 1978.
But the results of a consultant study in 2005 is thought to have found that
the mine is "long-term stable". The tunnels are 11 million cubic metres -
roughly the size of 4,400 Olympic swimming pools - and two thirds lie under
Billingham, while the other third lies under the Cowpen Industrial Estate.
THE anhydrite mines in Billingham have been opened for the first time in
almost 30 years.
Inspectors have explored the cavernous mines in a bid to assess whether they
are in a suitable condition for use as a long-term disposal facility for
low-hazard waste.
NPL Estates Limited is behind the plans to reopen the ICI-owned mine.
Specialist mining engineers and scientists spent five days examining the
mine on foot and taking samples of rock.
A spokesman for ICI today confirmed tests had been carried out and
developers were awaiting the results.
"The anhydrite mine inspection took place safely and as planned in early
September," he said. "The mine has now been recapped. Specialist mining
engineers and scientists spent five days walking sections of the mine that
had been subject to a previous detailed examination around 30 years ago.
They also took rock samples for analysis."
A report on the inspection findings is now being prepared by specialist
consultants co-ordinating the work and will be issued either at the end of
the year or early 2008.
The ICI spokesman added: "As soon as it is available, information in the
report will be shared with the group of residents led by Kevin Pitt of the
Billingham Partnership Board which has been meeting ICI and NPL Estates
since the start of the year, Stockton Council, the Environment Agency and
the Mines Inspectorate."
Kevin Pitt is manager of the Billingham Partnership Board, which provides a
forum for residents and groups involved in the regeneration of the town.
"We will now have to wait and see the results of the inspection," he said.
"Then we can put the relevant questions to those involved with the
proposals."
The report will also be shared with residents opposed to the plans. They
recently handed in a petition of more than 2,000 signatures to Stockton
Council.
Ray McCall, one of those against the plans, said: "My feelings about the
proposals haven't changed. It would be disastrous for the town if they go
ahead."
The mines were worked from 1927 until 1971, and closed when the mine shaft
was capped off in 1978.
But the results of a consultant study in 2005 is thought to have found that
the mine is "long-term stable". The tunnels are 11 million cubic metres -
roughly the size of 4,400 Olympic swimming pools - and two thirds lie under
Billingham, while the other third lies under the Cowpen Industrial Estate.