Work held up on contaminated site

WORK on a new Tesco store on the site of a former petrol filling station at Warrington has been held up by problems caused by contaminated land.
Nearby residents have also expressed concern at a lack of security on the site of the former Grappenhall Motor Company garage in Knutsford Road, Grappenhall.
They claim vandals are gaining access to the site late at night.
Originally, the new Tesco Express store on the site had been due to open in November.
But the contaminated land problem – arising from the storage of petrol and diesel on the site over many years – has held up work and the opening is now expected to be later.
All contaminated materials have to be removed from the site before construction work can continue.
Local councillor Mike Biggin said nearby residents had expressed concern about the lack of security on the site.
“It is not something the borough council can directly do much about,” he said. “But we have been down and reminded the contractors about the need for the site to be left secure of a night.
“Every time we have told them the gate has been left unlocked, they have gone down and locked it.
“The contamination problem has caused a hold-up but work is continuing.”
A nearby resident who can see the site from his window said: “Nothing seems to be happening and the site is a danger to local children. There is broken glass and all sort of hazardous debris there.
“The contractor’s cabin has been half demolished and taken away.
“There are all sorts of unsavoury characters hanging around at night.
“If it’s going to be left like that for any length of time, it is just not on.”