Leading civil engineering firm Jones Bros has begun a project to remove lead-contaminated soil from gardens in two North Wales villages.
The Ruthin-based firm, experts in contaminated land remediation projects, will spend 12 weeks working in six gardens in Coedpoeth, near Wrexham and one at Brymbo to make the area safe.
Eighteen households, mainly in Coedpoeth, were found to have high lead levels in garden soils which require remediation.
Eleven gardens have been remediated during phase one, with the remaining seven gardens now being dealt with in phase two by Jones Bros on behalf of Wrexham County Borough Council.
Hefin Lloyd-Davies, Jones Bros’ regional manager for North Wales, said: “Specialist skills are vital to competently remediate former industrial sites with contamination present.
“Jones Bros’ technical experts are skilled at and practiced in restoring such sites, particularly former industrial sites innovatively, safely and economically.
“We also aim to work in as considerate a way as possible as we are very conscious that these are people’s homes and gardens.”
Founded in the 1950s, Jones Bros has grown significantly in the last decade. Employing 350 people, it is currently working on contracts including the construction of waste management facilities, highways, flood and marine defence and renewable energy projects around the UK.
Local County Councillor Krista Childs said: “Good progress is being made with the remediation work which we hope will be completed before Christmas. Residents’ co-operation and patience is very much appreciated.”
Lead Member for Planning and Public Protection, Councillor David Kelly, said: “I am very pleased that this work is to go ahead and would like to thank everyone involved in this project.”