We Can’t Breathe: Tempers Boil Over at Launders Lane Contamination Meeting.

Residents Furious as Launders Lane Meeting Leaves Community Feeling Ignored

On Tuesday evening at Rainham Library, Havering Council held a meeting to update local residents now that the land at Launders Lane has been officially deemed contaminated. The audience heard from Council Leader Ray Morgon, Chief Executive Andrew Blake Herbert, Public Health Director Mark Ansell Planning Director Helen Oakerbee. and a representative for the landowner. Residents listened to the work underway but what followed was an outpouring of deep frustration and despair.

Anger dominated the room. Residents made it clear that those who do not live near the site cannot grasp the daily reality of living beside a contaminated landfill. Mark Ansell apologised for rubbing residents the wrong way and stated that he was on their side. Many found this difficult to believe. He was challenged when he suggested that those with pre existing health conditions would suffer the most during spikes in these fires. Catherine, a local resident, stated that she did not have any pre existing conditions before she became seriously unwell. She nearly died from double pneumonia and still suffers with long term health impacts. Her message was clear, she stated: “The fires we believe are harming people who were previously healthy.”

Emotions ran high throughout. Residents spoke openly about the long list of health impacts they face. They also highlighted the simple truth that unless you live near this site you cannot understand the scale of the suffering. Some residents walked out in protest. They felt the meeting was pointless. They said that even though they live in a ULEZ they cannot breathe. Many remarked on what they saw as a completely inadequate response from all involved.

It is the residents of Rainham whose voices need to be heard. Below are the unedited views submitted by residents after the meeting.

“I felt that too much time was given to going over ground that has been covered before. The council could have given a briefer overview of the past and concentrated more on the proposals to rectify the site. You could feel the tension, anger and frustration in the room. It was disappointing that more residents did not support the meeting. I feel that has a lot to do with the fact that people are fed up with how this has dragged on. I felt that a certain councillor was unprofessional and showed her lack of understanding in the laws surrounding compulsory purchase. I am not sure that people are confident about the temporary capping proposal although something needs to happen urgently. The temporary capping was confirmed as not covering the entire ground. The worry is that the fires can travel underground to find more oxygen. The council admitted that there would be hotspots until the oxygen was cut off. My concern is that gasses will still be produced and could possibly lead to an explosion. That is one hell of a risk to take with people’s lives. A resident stated that we are only four months away from next years fire season. The council appeared flippant when someone raised the question of dropping house prices. That is a double blow to residents. Why should we have to suffer the additional insult of potentially losing thousands of pounds on our homes.”

“Sadly I was disappointed the landowner did not attend. His representative gave the landowner’s perception to the best of his ability but he was not in a position to give any intention of the way the landowner would move this forward. Only the landowner can do this. The biggest question is why he has never submitted any form of planning in all these years. It never moved beyond pre planning stage. The fires still burnt. The environment representative for the owner explained the way they would like it to move forward but the timescale would take years and in the meantime residents will still be impacted.”

“I always try to carefully listen to both sides. To me a good presentation is one that is firm, informative and sturdy. The environment representative for the owner started off ok but then when she reverted to criticism it lost my attention.”

“I was told it was a total waste of time. Someone got angry, swore and walked out. The council and the landowner cannot come to an agreement while people suffer. Our house prices have gone down. It seems hell will freeze over before that happens. COPD is an awful condition. Getting through the winter is scary. It is mentally and physically draining. The landowner has really gone down in my expectations but the council still thinks we are mushrooms. They are as bad as each other.”

“Despite a disappointing turn out those who attended were treated again to more in fighting between the council and the landowner. The landowner declines to attend these meetings and sends representatives who cannot make decisions. We were informed that permanent remediation will take a minimum of seven years before the clean up might even commence. The council have come up with a land capping process used in America which could be completed before the next fire season if the landowner agreed. The landowner considers this a sticking plaster and so the problem continues. Please no more delays. Solve this terrible problem for the young children whose developing lungs are being damaged by toxic smoke.”

“We did not get a start date for the temporary capping or who would pay. Why does the landowner not turn up. There were questions only he could answer. It is delaying the work. Only five months until the fires start again.”

“I was really unimpressed with the lack of a definitive action plan or any timescales for starting temporary capping or serving a remediation notice. I am concerned that the temporary concrete or polymer capping will not be delivered in time and there are no guarantees it will even work.”

“I was disappointed the landowner did not show to answer questions. Further disappointed that the owners are considering taking legal advice to have the decision of contamination overturned. Experts gave options for temporary and permanent solutions. The owner’s representatives provided their solution which could take seven years. The temporary solution seems to be the best option before the start of the fire season next year.”

“I must say I was disappointed the landowner did not show. We do not need monkeys. We need the organ grinder.”

“Their usual trying to crack little jokes. Not the time or place. We are piggy in the middle and are the ones suffering. Although two representatives attended I feel it took away the sheer incompetence of our council over the years.”

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