Home / Environment / Brookside Reserve: Unknown Contaminants Spark Public Warning
Brookside Reserve: Unknown Contaminants Spark Public Warning
29 Jun
Summary
- Potential industrial contaminants found in soil and water.
- Petroleum-based oils, solvents, phenols, and pesticides detected.
- Precautionary advice issued while further testing is conducted.
Public warnings have been issued for parts of Brookside Nature Reserve in Stanhill Village, Oswaldtwistle, due to the discovery of potential industrial contaminants. Recent tests revealed pollutants such as petroleum-based oils, solvents, phenols, and pesticides in sections of the 87-acre site, which Hyndburn Borough Council purchased in 2022.
While the reserve is still accessible, signs have been placed in central areas advising visitors to stay away and keep dogs on leads and out of the water. Authorities emphasize that these are precautionary measures pending more comprehensive testing.
Councillor Munsif Dad assured residents that the council is proactively investigating and managing the situation. Environmental Health officers, with consultants RSK Geosciences, are conducting further investigations, with results anticipated in the autumn.
The 35-hectare Lancashire site was bought to be restored as part of the council's nature recovery plan, with funding from the National Lottery and other organizations.
