INVERCLYDE Council and its contaminated land officer have declined to give an opinion regarding the potential for pollutants being in the Ravenscraig floodwater.

The Telegraph asked if the council's expert could provide an assurance that no toxic chemicals were in the water.

The council said it was a matter for the developer Link Group and SEPA.

When pressed that it's the council's responsibility to ensure planning conditions are met — including that all surface water is 'intercepted within the site' — officials insisted that the flooding was not a matter for them.

Video: Fears as water escapes from 'polluted site'

Asked to comment on the video of a pedestrian encountering an impassable pool of dirty water, the council replied: "Transport Scotland is responsible for the A78 trunk road running adjacent to the site and also public pavements on the A78."

Network Rail stated that the council — responsible for the flooded Neil Street railway bridge — had been 'looking into the matter'.

 

When we asked what the council was examining, the local authority's spokesman said: "The issue of water run-off from the site is a matter for the developer and SEPA.

"We've raised the matter with them.

"As we're not the regulatory authority in this instance it would be inappropriate to comment any further."