Gas leak found after home tests (From Warrington Guardian)

Gas leak found after home tests

METHANE gas is escaping into houses on a Leftwich estate where an investigation into the deaths of two toddlers is ongoing.

Membranes originally installed in the houses to prevent the gases escaping from the soil are not providing an effective barrier.

Now Muir Group Housing Association is to rip up all the floorboards in the houses and replace these membranes under the foundations.

The investigation started last year after the deaths of Rebecca Watts, of Muirfield Close and Sharon Pymer, of Greenlaw Close, who lived yards from each other and died of a rare form of leukaemia.

Sam Scott, director of housing services at Muir Group Housing Association, said the tests had revealed membranes in three of the properties were not working properly.

He said: "The result is that we have employed environmental experts - Environmental Resources Management Ltd from Manchester - to decide on and implement the best option.

"We hope to move forward quite quickly and we will be liaising with residents throughout the process."

Phil Crowcroft, who is a partner with Environment Resources Management (ERM), said: "The work will provide robust protection and prevent ground gases from entering the properties.

"The works will bring the Leftwich homes up to an appropriate standard."

John Watts, of Muirfield Close, whose daughter Rebecca died, said: "When the membranes were put in, they should have been put in properly and they should have been safe which they weren't.

"It's all been too little too late but I am glad they are going to do it. It needs to be done."