ENVIRONMENT chiefs have revealed they do not know when the arsenic-contaminated St Michael's Golf Course will reopen.
Golfers are calling on Halton Borough Council to give an exact timescale of the remediation work and state of play of the course with a view to its reopening within the next 18 months.
The course has been out of action for two years and a security fence was installed around the perimeter to prevent trespassers and protect the public from the lethal poison.
But this week the council issued a statement saying complex environmental problems are preventing the announcement of a formal reopening date.
Experts found high levels of arsenic on land covering the first nine holes.
The shock find came as Stewards Brook was being investigated prior to planned improvements.
The toxic ground was 'capped' by laying waterproof plastic material over it and covering it with soil. Further measures included a system to collect and treat contaminated water.
In October council contractors finished six months of monitoring of Stewards Brook, which flows through the course.
Environmental specialists are undertaking a detailed survey of changes in the water quality.
Boreholes to sample soil, groundwater and gas will be drilled and monitored. The information is vital to allow the detailed design of the remedial solution for the golf course.
A council spokesman said: 'Halton Borough Council continues to work in part-nership with the Environment Agency to bring the remediation of the golf course into fruition.
'The council and its partners are working to get the golf course reinstated and open as soon as possible, but the complex environmental problems and the stringent regulations mean that this will take time.'
