The results of an investigation conducted by North Lanarkshire Council into allegations of contaminated land at and around Watling Street in Motherwell (Forum Place, Tiber Avenue and Empire Way) have been announced.

The investigation was launched last July after allegations were made that toxic contamination from a secretive wartime factory in Lanarkshire was making local residents ill.

North Lanarkshire Council sampled and monitored pollution near the area which used to be the site of a munitions factory run by Metropolitan Vickers for the Ministry of Defence, and a waste dump.

The report has confirmed there is no evidence, in terms of Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, of significant possibility of significant harm from the land on the site, either on open space areas or in residents' gardens.

The works, which were delivered according to UK best practice by independent contractors WSP Environmental Ltd, have been professionally and independently reviewed and endorsed by Dr Naomi Earl of Firth Consultants, a recognised authority on the standards applied to the assessment of contaminated land and the risks it poses to human health.

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After evidence of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyl at depth in the open space area was uncovered, shallow soil samples from the affected areas were analysed and showed risks to health are low.

The isolated open space area previously found to contain trichlororethene (TCE) at depth (approximately 3 metres) was double-checked.

Further analysis of the soil in eight residential gardens was also carried out after they were found to contain some evidence of contaminants. Ten additional samples were taken from each garden, and analysis has again shown that any risk to residents is low.

The results have been forwarded to Lanarkshire Housing Association, which owns the land and the majority of properties on it, along with some recommendations on further action to consider.

Residents had initially complained of severe headaches, nausea and diarrhoea.

They were worried that the cause was heavy metal, radioactive and other contamination, and hired Glasgow law firm BMK Wilson to represent them in pursuing legal action.

Overall, the report has confirmed that the site does not represent a risk to human health and no further ground investigations will be carried out.

While completing this final report, North Lanarkshire Council also had to consider new claims that indoor air testing conducted on their behalf showed levels of airborne contaminants in four homes.

(JG/CD)