Probe has speeded up

AN experienced chartered geologist says levels of benzene discovered in Muirfield Close have been played down.

Chris Eccles, of Mornant Avenue, Hartford, has had 18 years' experience in the construction and environmental industries in investigation and assessing ground conditions including potential chemical contamination.

Since the early days of the Muirfield Close investigation, he has helped to explain the findings to the Leftwich families who wanted a second opinion.

Chris said from the beginning of August, when the drilling and ground investigation started, to mid-October 2005, the investigation progressed relatively slowly.

He added: "In the past six working days - since the receipt of the latest laboratory results which indicated the level of benzene in the ground below the garden of No 2 Muirfield to be 25 times higher than the previously recorded level - they have shown a significantly higher level of urgency and are trying their utmost to move forward the investigation more rapidly."

He said the latest laboratory test result had shown that there was a source of contamination below this garden."