Barking and Dagenham Council has pledged its support for Zane's Law,
a campaign advocating for improved regulation and management of contaminated land. The motion, passed by the Assembly on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, was brought forward following the tragic death of seven-year-old Zane Gbangbola, whose passing was linked to hydrogen cyanide exposure from contaminated land.
Zane's Law is a proposed piece of legislation aimed at improving the regulation and management of contaminated land in the UK. The Barking and Dagenham Council's Assembly resolved to formally support Zane's Law and will write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs urging its adoption. The motion also proposes that the council review potentially contaminated sites within Barking and Dagenham, take immediate action on any identified land, and promote best practices in contaminated land management, utilising the powers available to councils under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Councillor Andrew Achilleos, speaking in favour of the motion, highlighted the council's existing work in this area. He noted that Barking and Dagenham already maintains a register of contaminated land and has a good record of remediation and monitoring legacy sites. He also referenced the efforts of local MPs, including Margaret Mullane, in championing Zane's Law and environmental issues at a parliamentary level. Labour MPs, such as Dawn Butler, are also championing Zane's Law at a parliamentary level. Margaret Mullane, the Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham, has put a spotlight on the environmental and public health issues caused by poorly managed Rainham volcano and commissioned a research project into the management of Legacy Landfill, which was published this week by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.
Councillor Ingrid Robinson also spoke in support, emphasizing the importance of confidence in dealing with contaminated land, particularly in the context of increasing housing development. She added that the council supports calls for increased national government funding to maintain an updated register of contaminated land and for this register to be publicly accessible.
The motion was unanimously approved by the Assembly, signifying the council's commitment to addressing contaminated land and supporting the campaign for greater protections for communities. The full details of the council's discussions can be found in the Public reports pack for the Assembly meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Public reports pack Wednesday 28-Jan-2026 19.00 Assembly.pdf
