MOD papers show chemicals washed down drain at RAF Upper Heyford
Last month resident of Heyford Park, Leigh Radwell, told the BBC she wanted the water and soil to be tested amid concerns her vegetables may be contaminated.
She as well as two other residents have so far told the BBC they would take part in blood testing for the chemicals if it was made available.
Calum Miller MP for Bicester and Woodstock, who was sent the documents by defence minister Luke Pollard, said the detail in the documents makes the need for testing “all the more urgent”.
“I’m going to be meeting very shortly with the relevant minister at Defra [Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] who’s responsible for forever chemicals. I’m looking forward to that meeting, which will also be attended by officials from the Health Department.
“Local residents are understandably very anxious. They’ve gone from a few months ago, really not knowing very much about this issue, to suddenly being aware that there is potentially something very serious on their doorstep. What they are looking for is answers to the many questions they have.”
Charlie Henry from Gallos Brook Community Group said they had been testing the waterways “to prove that there are high levels in many waterways surrounding the base”.
“There’s 14 streams that run off this base into different villages. We’re calling on the Environment Agency and Cherwell District Council to test them because children play in them, dogs swim in them… it’s really serious.”
The Environment Agency has said it will investigate reports of pollution but added the local authority was responsible for contaminated land.
Residents say they had reported the issue to the EA.
A spokesperson for Cherwell District Council said they were not aware of any evidence to suggest an immediate risk to the health of residents.
