Following concerns being raised with the Town Council regarding asbestos at the Broadway Circle garages, and a potential risk to public health, we have only recently received the below information from Northumberland County Council and note that contractors are currently working to remove all asbestos, which is classed as low risk, from the site.

 

What is Asbestos Cement?
Asbestos cement is commonly found in older sheds, garages, and soffits underneath roof eaves. It appears as flat or corrugated grey or brown panels with a coarse texture and may have moss or lichen growth on older sheets.

What Happened at the Broadway Circle Garages?
The garages behind Broadway Circle had asbestos cement roofs. Following the sale of the land, the new owner hired contractors to demolish the garages. While the site is secured, demolition debris, including broken asbestos cement sheets, remains on-site. Northumberland County Council has reported this matter to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the authority responsible for construction site safety.

Understanding the Health Risks

• Asbestos cement contains only 5-10% asbestos, with fibres tightly bound within the cement.
• Even if damaged, only small amounts of fibres are released, which disperse quickly in the air.
• The remaining asbestos cement sheets pose a low risk to public health.

While the health risk is minimal, anyone with concerns should consult their GP.

Reporting Concerns
If you have safety concerns about this site, you can report them directly to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) using their online form: https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm