To: The Right Honourable Emma Reynolds MP Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and The Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP the Prime Minister.

Make toxic landfills safe - Support 'Zane's Law'!

Dangerous, contaminated land is a ticking time bomb. We demand tighter regulations and ‘The right to a clean, healthy environment’ (endorsed by the UN General Assembly, July 2022)

Why is this important?

Current UK regulations with regard to toxic waste disposal and the danger to human life, to our environment, and to the planet as a whole, from both historic landfill sites and currently approved landfill sites operating the ‘dry tomb’ principle, are dangerously inadequate. Especially so, in the face of climate breakdown, with rising sea levels, increased rainfall, and widespread flooding.
In 2014, 7-year-old Zane Gbangbola died and his father was paralysed with a diagnosis of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) poisoning, during catastrophic flooding in the first UK floods acknowledged to be caused by climate change. Flood water passing through a historic landfill site carried HCN into Zane’s home, detected there at high levels by the Fire and Rescue Services on the night of the tragedy.
‘Zane’s Law’ seeks to address the crisis of contaminated land in the UK, reinstating legislative provisions removed by successive governments from the 1990 Environment Protection Act, and recognising the Human Right to a Healthy Environment, endorsed by the UN General Assembly, in July 2022.
‘Zane’s Law’ proposes that the following measures be vigorously pursued, with no ambiguity in government guidance, to prioritise the protection and safety of people and planet, and the human right to a healthy environment, above all other considerations.
1. Every Local Authority must keep a full, regularly updated Register of Land that may be contaminated within their boundary.
2. The Environment Agency must keep a full, public 'National Register of Contaminated Land' to be regularly updated by information from Local Authorities.
3. All above mentioned Registers of Land must be accessible and available for inspection by the General Public.
4. Relevant Local Authorities must fully inspect any land registered that may be contaminated and must fully remediate or enforce remediation of any land which poses harm to public safety, or which pollutes controlled waters*.
5. Relevant Local Authorities must be responsible for inspecting previously closed landfill sites and fully remediating them, or enforcing their remediation when they pose a risk of significant harm to people or controlled waters.
6. The Government must take full responsibility for providing the necessary funds for Local Authorities to meet these new requirements, following the ‘polluter pays’ principle: to recover costs as appropriate where those responsible for the pollution can be identified.

* Controlled waters are groundwater or surface water intended for human consumption.

Maps © Stamen; Data © OSM and contributors, ODbL

Updates

2025-10-30 20:44:19 +0000

On Tuesday 21st October, which would have been Zane Gbangbola's 19th birthday had he lived, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, pledged their support for Zane's Law.

Remembering Zane on his birthday, in the eleventh agonising year since his death, his parents Kye and Nicole said:

“When the state withholds the truth of a child's death, there is more than 'justice delayed is justice denied' going on! Withheld justice eviscerates and silences victims beyond the horrific act that took their loved one’s life. Withheld justice removes the power to challenge, to speak freely, and to act on information. It halts lives, destroys relationships, careers, homes, health, wellbeing, trust, and any chance to grieve in truth.
Zane will forever be our precious seven-year-old boy, who we miss every moment of the day. But we Pray for a legacy of truth, and that protection for others will come.”

2025-07-15 10:45:48 +0100

Yesterday, Monday 114th July, Newham Council unanimously passed a motion supporting Zane's Law. Make toxic landfills safe now! We hope to see a wave of London Councils follow suit.

2025-07-14 10:40:53 +0100

On Friday 11 July the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, publicly backed support for Zane's Law. Read more here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2nld39y0eo

2025-06-06 23:03:01 +0100

Wednesday 11th June at 2pm - campaigners from all over the country will meet with trade unions, politicians, experts and lawyers, at Westminster, to kick start the process of turning Zane's Law into legislation. Baroness Natalie Bennett will chair this landmark event. Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for the Environment will be present. Watch out for media coverage. -The time for Zane's Law is NOW.

2025-03-05 17:35:45 +0000

THE BIG ZOOM MEMORIAL CALL TO ACTION FOR ZANE GBANGBOLA - 2006 to 2014 R.I.P ♥️ on International Workers Memorial Day – 28 April 6pm - 6.20pm.
EVENT DETAILS
Introductions - Daniel Kebede – NEU General Secretary.
Speakers
Kye and Nicole Gbangbola - Zane's parents
Andy Burnham – Mayor of Greater Manchester
Visit https://neu.org.uk/latest/big-zoom for full details and to register for the event.

2024-12-13 10:26:14 +0000

Yesterday, Cheshire West & Chester Council voted unanimously to pass 'Zane's Law'. The motion was proposed and seconded by two Green councillors, Chris Copeman and John Roach. Thanks to you both and to all the councillors who voted. Anther step towards reforming environmental law in the UK on contaminated land and water.... SO URGENTLY NEEDED!

2024-11-08 07:16:50 +0000

https://x.com/londonassembly/status/1854526449471930648?s=48&t=B0ahN80WaQeC0DItdLLGhw

2024-11-07 17:22:23 +0000

Today, the London Assembly has passed the Zane's Law motion, unanimously. Thank you to all members who have thus demonstrated their support for urgent action on contaminated land and controlled waters in the UK. Momentum is building!

2024-09-08 10:06:54 +0100

7th September 2024: At the Green Party of England & Wales annual conference, Zane's Law became Green Party policy by a unanimous vote.
Read more from the BBC here: https://bbc.com/news/articles/cn8lndev8n9o

2024-06-30 04:20:26 +0100

Read the latest GUARDIAN article from WATERSHED journalists, Leana Hosea and Rachel Salvidge, about contaminated, historic landfill in the UK, featuring what happened to Zane and Kye, plus stories of other polluted sites, including Walleys quarry landfill in Silverdale, near Newcastle-under-Lyme. As the article says: 'Old landfills are often described as ticking timebombs, but some have already detonated.'
READ THE ARTICLE HERE: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/28/hidden-dangers-old-uk-landfills-toxic-chemicals?CMP=share_btn_url
FIND OUT ABOUT WATERSHED AND THE WATERSHED POLLUTION MAP HERE: https://watershedinvestigations.com/

2024-05-10 08:16:06 +0100

On Monday 6th May, the first meeting of the new 'UK Landfill Campaign' took place on zoom, bringing together people involved with landfill concerns and campaigns in their areas. The meeting was organised by Zane's parents. The need for action on contaminated land and controlled waters is ever more urgent. We hope the landfill campaign will grow and grow, as more people come forward to share what's happening in their communities. Together we are stronger!
If you want to know more about the campaign and participating, please visit our website at www.zaneslaw.co.uk and you can contact us direct at [email protected]

2024-05-02 23:45:56 +0100

Kye and Nicole, Zane's Mummy and Daddy, met with the Alex Chalk KC, Secretary of State for Justice on the same day the BBC report (see below) was published. Chalk noted the evidence in the report and said that he would raise the importance of an Independent Panel Inquiry for Zane with the Prime Minister's Office.

2024-05-02 23:43:03 +0100

On the 24th April. a well researched article, published by the BBC, exposed the fact that the local authority and the Environment Agency knew that the landfill next to Zane's home was dangerous. The article included evidence that the landfill contained 30,000 tons worth of 'Experimental Tipping'. These facts were covered up by authorities, who claimed the land had never been landfill to avoid liability. Many animals have died on the picturesque field that covers over the landfill site and the ornamental lake there has been filmed 'bubbling'. In 2021, a senior, military whistle blower exposed how military waste had been dumped in the landfill, during the 1960s, that could form HCN. A number of emergency environmental incidents recorded in the locality, have also come to light, including one on a nearby 'sister' landfill site.
Here's a link to the article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-68635971.amp

2024-04-25 21:59:29 +0100

Tonight, Thursday 25 April 2024, Stroud District Council unanimously voted to back #ZanesLaw calling for tighter regulation and oversight of both historic and current landfill sites and controlled waters. The Leader and members warmly applauded Zane's Parents and those dedicated to protecting communities at risk. Cllr Rebecca Aldam proposed the motion and Zane's Daddy was present, along with the great Green group at Stroud, protecting community and planet. A massive *Thank You* to all Stroud Councillors, Officers, and the Chair of the Council, Cllr Doina Cornell.

2024-04-09 12:37:05 +0100

Two more councils have passed a motion in support of Zane's Law: Brighton and Hove City Council, unanimously, and Adur Council, both on the same day Thursday 28th March. More councils are gearing up to do the same.
Here's an article from the (Brighton) Argus: https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24218954.zanes-law-issue-party-politics/