Bedford Borough Council have just announced that the cordon around Cleat Hill, put in place after two people were killed following an explosion in the area, has been lifted.
The 100-meter cordon covering Cleat Hill, Glenrose Avenue, and Wagstaffe Close was introduced following an explosion on Saturday, 19 October, almost two months ago.
Read: Man dies after Cleat Hill explosion and house fire
It has now been removed, following advice by technical experts who have been monitoring the site and carrying out risk assessments, including inside the evacuated homes.
There are also no longer any road, footpath or walkway closures in place. However, a small cordon will remain around 7 Cleat Hill.
Since the explosion, many people living in the area have been displaced, living with family and friends or in hotels provided by the council.
There have been opportunities for those people to return to their homes temporarily to gather belongings with an escort.
This was controlled by Bedford Borough Council, Bedfordshire Police and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service working together as part of the Bedfordshire Local Resilience Forum, which also includes other agencies such as the Environment Agency and British Geological Survey.
Read: “Enter your homes at your own risk” letter tells Cleat Hill evacuees
Ongoing monitoring
A spokesperson for the Bedfordshire Local Resilience Forum said; “We are extremely grateful to residents for their patience and cooperation, and we are happy to encourage them to return to their homes.
“We are continuing to offer support and advice to residents. This will include an on-site presence by the police and fire and rescue service, the 24/7 helpline, and the continuation of some temporary accommodation for residents.
“Thank you too to the wider community for their support throughout this challenging time.”
G7c Blackline Safety Methane Gas Detection Monitors have been installed in all homes that have accepted the offer. Residents are have also been advised to seal service ducts at their homes, and discussions about this are still taking place with some residents.
In-home monitoring will take place over the next 12 months, wider area monitoring will take place into 2025, and there will be long-term, targeted monitoring conducted around the borehole to address its unique requirements.
While the cordon has been in place, the council has offered those displaced financial support and a free advice and support centre, free digital access and printing, free office space and car parking, and a 24-hour emergency helpline.
Read: Borough Hall working space offered to residents affected by Cleat Hill incident
However, some residents initially criticised the Council for “lack of communication” in the early days of the evacuation.
At a public meeting, a resident said: “There needs to be someone who has the sole job of overseeing what is communicated to us. There should be a text at the beginning of each day, you know when we wake up, to see it there saying either no change or this.”
Investigation
85-year-old Paul Swales was killed in the explosion at his home on 19 October while Julia Harris, 84, who was also in the house at the time was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. She died ten days later.
The investigation is continuing into its cause, and an inquest has been opened and adjourned until 27 May 2025.
People living in the area have told this newspaper they feel the monitoring of gas levels in the area after a borehole pierced an underground gas pocket in the summer, was not being taken seriously enough.
A resident, who asked not to be named, said that gas was originally leaking at ground level, and the structure was put in place to lift gas from the ground.
However, when “the street became cloudy at road level” six weeks ago, concerns were raised again.
“It has been a worrying ongoing issue for a few months, but nobody expected it to be this dangerous,” they said. “My concern is safety first for everyone in the street. I know it’s been monitored over the months but we never knew the next step or the next procedure.
“It was just monitored”.
Bedfordshire Police have said that their investigation, “Will include reviewing any previous issues reported in the local area.” The HSE are also investigating.
Read: Health and Safety Executive joins investigation into Cleat Hill explosion
