This post provides an update on the asbestos management works carried out at Tudor Place as part of the wider land remediation programme. We are pleased to confirm that all works have been completed safely, successfully, and in full compliance with current health and safety law.
Background
As set out on our Land Remediation page, specialist ground investigations before construction at Tudor Place identified very low trace levels of asbestos fibres within the soil – a finding that is common on brownfield land with a history of previous use, such as this site, which formerly housed a college, school, residential properties and a petrol station.
In line with the approved Remediation and Enabling Works Strategy, prepared by independent specialists E3P and approved by Knowsley Council, a detailed Asbestos Management Plan was put in place before any construction work began. This set out exactly how asbestos would be identified, safely managed, and removed across the site.
What was done?
The following measures were put in place and carried out in full:
- Site Survey – The entire site was inspected in a systematic grid pattern to identify any asbestos-containing materials present on the surface, including anything that may have been on site from fly-tipping after the original ground investigations were completed.
- Air quality testing – Air samples were taken across the site and laboratory-tested before any construction activity began, establishing background levels of asbestos fibre in the air. This gave a clear benchmark to measure against throughout the works.
- Licensed specialists – All asbestos removal was carried out exclusively by fully trained, qualified and licensed contractors, working to detailed risk assessments and method statements in full compliance with current legislation.
- Dust suppression – Water damping and other engineering controls were used throughout to prevent any asbestos fibres from becoming airborne during construction activity.
- Independent air monitoring – All removal work was supervised by a consultant independently accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), who carried out continuous air monitoring throughout. This confirmed that asbestos fibre levels remained safe at all times and never rose above the agreed benchmark levels established before work began.
- Independent sign-off – Once removal was complete, an independent geo-environmental consultant – entirely separate from the contractors who carried out the removal work – carried out final inspections and testing, confirming that all identified asbestos had been successfully removed.
The site has also been inspected by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – the UK’s independent regulator for workplace health and safety – whose review confirmed the site is operating in line with all relevant regulations.
Is the site safe?
Yes. All identified asbestos-containing materials have been fully removed and independently verified. As described on our Land Remediation page, suitable topsoil will be used across all gardens and landscaped areas, and the site will be independently certified as safe for residential use before homebuilding is complete.
Barratt and David Wilson Homes remain committed to carrying out every stage of this process safely, transparently and to the highest environmental standards.