On 1st April 2000 a new regime to deal with contaminated land began when Part II A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 came into force. Part II A had been inserted into the 1990 Act by Section 57 of the Environment Act 1995.

Under the new regime local authorities

(i) inspect their areas to identify potential contaminated land

(ii) determine whether a particular site is contaminated

(iii) establish who should bear responsibility for the remediation of the land

(iv) decide what remediation is required and ensure that the appropriate person carries out such work

(v) record information on the regulatory actions on a public register.

The general awareness of the public therefore, to the risks that may be posed to health and safety by contaminated land, has been much increased.