Soil removed in Hauxton site excavation

Work to clear and decontaminate the site is due to end in autumn 2011

Thousands of cubic metres of soil has been excavated as part of a clean up of a former chemical factory site in Cambridgeshire.

The operation began after earth at the old Bayer site in Hauxton was found to be contaminated with chemicals.

South Cambridgeshire District Council said 60,000 cubic metres of soil had been excavated.

Concerns were raised by campaign group HauxAir over the effects on health of a nauseous odour in the area.

Public authorities and councils earlier said the odour on the site was no threat to health.

The main factory and manufacturing areas have been successfully excavated, South Cambridgeshire District Council said.

HauxAir was set up to voice concerns from residents in 12 villages about the contamination at the former Bayer CropScience factory.