Just over two weeks ago OnTheWight heard that samples taken from the small section of road that Islanders re-patched last October on the land-slipped Undercliff Drive – so that residents in those properties could gain access to their homes – might contain asbestos.
Residents were confused about the news, because they say those who re-patched the road used material from a reputable building supplier on the Isle of Wight.
Details leaked before residents informed
Prior to residents in the land-locked properties hearing about the asbestos claims through official channels, a CP reporter told residents in nearby properties of the discovery. Quite how that information was leaked to them so early is not clear.
The CP are today running the headline “Deadly asbestos found on Undercliff access road”, although residents were informed the asbestos posed no risk to them.
Any claims of asbestos being ‘deadly’ shouldn’t be made without evidence. Evidence that the Isle of Wight Council tell OnTheWight is not available.
Presence of asbestos?
We wrote to the Isle of Wight council (IWC) asking for clarification that asbestos had been found during the assessment made by Ramboll of the hardcore rubble.
The following week we received a joint statement from the council and Island Roads which read,
“The results of the laboratory tests on samples from Undercliff Drive, have now (14th August) been received by Island Roads. The tests indicate the presence of asbestos on site. Safety advice is being sought by Island Roads on handling these types of asbestos, before seeking to identify the extent.
“We will continue to work with local stakeholders as this situation progresses. Public access remains prohibited during the works.”
As asbestos is a complex material, this raised further questions, such as what type of asbestos, in what quantities and from what depth had the samples been taken, among others.
The last question was relevant because of the widely-known fact that the area assessed had been a dump ground decades before when the Army dealt with a previous landslide.
No Report ‘unavailable’
Asbestos can range from being relatively benign to quite dangerous, so it’s important to know what type of asbestos was found. Nine days ago OnTheWight requested a copy of the report, in order that any ‘dangers’ could be understood.
We didn’t receive a copy.
On Wednesday (26th August), the IWC issued a general press release, this time saying,
“As has been stated recently, laboratory results have confirmed the presence of asbestos at Undercliff Drive. The asbestos has been found within the rubble core of the access road constructed by residents of Undercliff Drive. The asbestos was found within a ground investigation trial hole at a depth of 0.6m and again at 1.0m.
“The owners of the adjoining land have been notified, as have the Environment Agency and Natural England. Over the coming days Island Roads, with the assistance of technical specialists will seek to identify the extent of the contamination before agreeing the appropriate course of action with relevant parties.
“The Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads are considering options of how best to progress the works at Undercliff Drive in light of the discovery of asbestos on site, and will provide further details as soon as possible.”
IWC refuse to show evidence
Yesterday (27th August) we reminded the IWC about our unanswered questions and again requested a copy of the report.
Their responses were somewhat surprising.
Q: Please could you also confirm what type of asbestos was found.
IWC: Not at this stage.
The IWC statement (14th August) specifically said “these types of asbestos”, so it’s not clear why they are now saying they can’t reveal what types.
Q: I believe Simon requested a copy of the report 8 days ago, please could you also forward that.
IWC: At this stage, no report is available, while further tests are underway.
Supplied by reputable builders’ merchant
On hearing the news a couple of weeks ago, Gary Smedmore who runs the Undercliff Glen caravan park in the landlocked area (which has now been closed for two summers), told OnTheWight,
“The rubble used to re-patch the road was provided by a reputable building supplier on the Isle of Wight who screen all their materials.
“As we don’t know what type or how much asbestos was found, it’s highly possible it could be just a small piece of concrete asbestos, or there could even have been contamination by vehicles that have been driving over the area in the last ten months.
“The re-patched road was pulled up with the bucket of a JCB. There was no dust control whatsoever.”
Gary told OnTheWight he’d received an undated, unsigned letter from Island Roads informing him of the discovery.
Asbestos rubble dumped on SSSI land
The rubble that was dug up from the re-patched road by a JCB bucket still sits dumped on the adjacent land.
SSSI land owned by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
Given that Island Roads and the Isle of Wight council have stopped work for at least three weeks because of the discovery, residents are curious as to why ‘asbestos contaminated’ rubble has been left there.
