2.5k tonnes of asbestos buried underground

Thursday 01 June 2017

2,500 tonnes of toxic asbestos, which had previously been left within shipping containers, has now been buried in specialist underground 'cells' at La Collette.

Amassed since 1997, the asbestos – a known carcinogen – had previously been stored in 290 containers.

The move led to criticism from many residents, who complained that the 20-year-old containers – many of which appeared to be rusting – were not enough to contain the hazardous substance and posed a public health risk. 

But those containers have now been broken down for recycling, and the asbestos moved deep underground in a £1 million Department for Infrastructure project, which started in February last year and has come in under budget and ahead of time.

The Department for Infrastructure, who contracted Rhodar to carry out the work, say that the asbestos moves were undertaken following health and safety guidelines, with a full-time asbestos consultant on the site at all times.

Pictured: The asbestos has now been buried underground at the reclaimed land site at La Collette.

Deputy Eddie Noel, Minister for Infrastructure, described the project’s completion as both a personal and departmental “milestone”.

“We have finally managed to get rid of the containers of asbestos which were such an eyesore for the last 20 years and were not sustainable in the longer term,” he commented.

Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce added: “I'm very grateful for the Minister's ongoing efforts to finally get this hazardous stockpile of asbestos removed from sight and, more importantly, from being an environmental risk. I've tried for a long time to make this area safe, and Deputy Noel has finally achieved something that should have been done many years ago."