Corby toxic waste concerns remain despite new cancer report findings
Calls for public inquiry continue despite council-backed analysis of Deene Quarry
People campaigning for answers over possible links between historic industrial pollution and childhood cancers in Corby say a new independent study has not ended their concerns.
Dust from the dismantling of the former steelworks in Corby, Northamptonshire, has been linked to birth defects, and many families believe historic pollution may also be connected to cases of childhood cancer.
North Northamptonshire Council have published the findings of an expanded analysis by the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS), which found no clear evidence that cancer rates among children and young adults living within 5km of Deene Quarry were different from those seen elsewhere in Corby, Northamptonshire, the East Midlands or England.
North Northamptonshire Council, which commissioned the study following requests from local residents, described the findings as the most comprehensive analysis of the available data to date.
What the study found
The study looked at cancer registrations among people under 25 between 2001 and 2023.
The council said none of the differences identified were statistically significant. It said that means there is no clear evidence cancer rates in the area are higher or lower than expected.
It builds on a report published in January 2026, which looked at people under 20 between 2013 and 2022.
The council said the number of cases is still relatively small, and that analysis based on small numbers should be interpreted with caution.
Dr Jane Bethea, Director of Public Health for North Northamptonshire, said: "The findings are broadly consistent with the conclusions of the previous report."
She said: "This independent assessment provides the most comprehensive analysis available for this population and time period."
Cllr Martin Griffiths, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council, said: "We asked for this further analysis after residents sought additional reassurance and requested that a broader range of data be considered."
Campaigners respond
Des Collins, a solicitor who represented families in Corby's landmark toxic waste litigation, spoke to Hits Radio about the findings.
He welcomed the council looking at the issue again, but criticised what he described as flaws in the methodology.
Mr Collins said: "The central flaw here is that they take as the centre of the radius, Deene Quarry, because that is where all contaminated waste should have been buried."
He said: "Now we know from what we've learned over the past 18 months that it wasn't all buried there."
'This is by no means a case closed situation'
He said: "We will continue to push for a public inquiry."
Tracie Taylor, a campaigner from Kettering who has spent years fighting for answers over the toxic waste scandal, also spoke to Hits Radio.
She said the study focuses too narrowly on Deene Quarry.
Ms Taylor said: "As we know and as we've proved in many news articles since Toxic Town came out, it cannot just be done to that area."
'It's 30 years on and we're still having to fight for justice and answers'
She said whistleblowers and paperwork she has seen suggest waste was taken much further afield.
The council's release does not respond to those claims.
Ms Taylor said the only way to resolve the issue is a full, independent public inquiry.
She said: "I don't want to be here in 20 years time fighting exactly the same for proof and justice for all these families and children."
The council said it had been asked whether a public inquiry could be held.
It said public inquiries are started by a UK government or devolved government minister, and that the council is not the route for requesting one.
It said that, given the information available, it does not believe the criteria for an inquiry have been met.