Work on Poole's Twin Sails Bridge has been delayed after traces
of
asbestos were found at the site.
asbestos
Contractors Hochtief (UK) suspended work at the former power
station site after discovering the materials during excavation
work.
Tests are now being carried out at the site in Hamworthy but the
materials which were found are not thought to pose a health risk to
the general public.
Tests by a local
asbestos specialist revealed some evidence of asbestos
contamination in the form of insulation materials, rope gaskets and
blankets buried on the site.
asbestos
Borough of Poole strategic director Jim Bright said: "We would
like to reassure people that there is no health risk and
arrangements are already in place for the safe removal and disposal
of this material away from the site.
"As soon as the material was identified, the council and
Hochtief (UK) acted immediately to contain the area and allow
testing to be carried out. Fortunately, there are no large
concentrations of asbestos and the materials do not have a high
level of contamination.
"Materials of this type are not uncommon on former industrial
sites and we do not expect this discovery to adversely affect the
progress on construction of the bridge."