Residents living near the world's largest asbestos factory in Rochdale, dubbed Britain's Chernobyl, have expressed fears that the crumbling site poses a serious health risk to children who swim in a nearby river. The Turner Brothers Asbestos factory, which operated from the 1870s until the late 1990s, spans 72 acres and is now described as a blight on the landscape.
Locals have nicknamed a weir on the River Spodden 'Paradise', but there are concerns that asbestos from the decrepit factory may have contaminated the water. Despite an investigation ten years ago finding no asbestos fibres above detection limits, the site's owners have warned the public to avoid entering due to potential exposure risks.
Mick Coats, a 76-year-old retired health and safety expert who has lived beside the factory for 32 years, said: "Kids are swimming in that River Spod. They are putting themselves at serious risk of harm." He called for the site to be cleared and turned into a country park.
Andy Mason, 47, an IT consultant who lives next door with his partner and four children, described the site as "the equivalent of a modern-day Chernobyl". He urged action, saying: "We need to take ownership and put it right - we can't just pass on an environmental disaster from generation to generation."
More than 20 years after closure, residents continue to campaign for better safety measures. A council spokesperson stated that the wellbeing of residents is the priority, but noted they cannot convert the site without approval from the current owners, Spodden Park Ltd. The council said it would work closely with the company to give the land a new lease of life.
