Industrial diesel tanks discovered during clean up at Burgess Park
Published 16 November 2011
Two disused industrial tanks have been discovered buried deep in the ground in Burgess Park by Southwark Council while carrying out a major redevelopment of the site.
The park is currently undergoing a £6million upgrade which when complete will see an expanded and improved lake, the creation of a variety of different wildlife habitats, new entrances and a new BMX track.
Contractors Balfour Beatty, the Environment Agency and specialist advisors are working with the council to remove the tanks and the surrounding contaminated soil.
The tanks, which are both more than eight metres wide and 16 metres long, are thought to have been leaking diesel into the ground for a number of years.
Council chiefs said there was no danger to the public from the tanks and that any contaminated waste will be removed as quickly as possible.
It is expected that the removal of the material will mean a delay to the park's opening but the council said it was confident that the new site would be ready by summer next year.
Cllr Barrie Hargrove, Southwark's cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling, said:
"It's unfortunate that we've come across these old diesel tanks as their disposal is a significant piece of extra work for our contractors to deal with.
"However, with a project like this one - a once-in-a-generation transformation - it's vital that we carry out the work as thoroughly and as professionally as possible to ensure the park looks its very best for its opening next summer."
Kulveer Ranger, Mayor of London's Director of the Environment said:
"The development of Burgess Park is part of the Mayor's plans to create a greener London. Not only are we working to improve the appearance of the park, but also regenerating it for local people to enjoy for generations to come. The Mayor is looking forward to seeing this fantastic green space completely transformed through the Help a London Park programme."
