Calls for government action on chemical pollution

The leader of a local authority has written to the government calling for it to take action after forever chemical contamination was uncovered at a former RAF air base.

Independent testing in a stream near RAF Upper Heyford, in Oxfordshire, recently found levels of 'forever chemicals' 43,000 times higher than environmental standards.

Local campaigners have previously called for immediate testing on people and the surrounding environment to understand the scale of pollution and its potential impact.

Lesley McLean, leader of Cherwell District Council, has now written to the water and flooding minister, Emma Hardy, asking for a meeting to address the issue.

Her letter also called for the government to consider designating Heyford Park and its surrounding area as a priority monitoring site for the chemicals - known as PFAS.

"I'm calling on all national and local agencies to pull together urgently to understand exactly what the health concerns are and agree what immediate actions are required to ensure this matter is properly understood," she said.

"I hope Emma Hardy MP responds positively to my request for a meeting and can help bring about a comprehensive multi-agency response."