Directory

Access tools

Set Text size

| |

Set Contrast

| |

Text only
Translation
Listen

News

Results of Investigation into Asbestos Beach Incident Heard

A report on the investigation into how sand containing building material was placed on to a Poole Beach will be discussed by Poole's Cabinet on Thursday 22 July.

As part of a beach replenishment scheme and with the agreement of the Council, sand excavated from a nearby development was added to a 250 metre stretch of beach from Shore Road to Flaghead Chine in November 2003.  Following the discovery of small amount asbestos cement and building material, 3000 tonnes of sand was removed from the beach as part of a major clean up operation in January this year.

The report examines the Council's processes and decision making leading up to the incident as well as actions taken to resolve it.

Major findings outlined in the report include:

• That  the actions of officers were designed to improve beach replenishment at no cost to the Council. \n
• That although the proposal was conceived with good intent it was given insufficient attention and was mismanaged. \n
• Sand material from the development should have had a more regular and detailed monitoring. \n
• A £3000 bond agreed between the Council and the Contractor was set without proper advice or assistance and was inadequate. \n
• No formal contract was agreed and that the level of legal, environmental, financial and reputation risk was not recognised. \n
• The Environment Agency is of the view that the Council breached the Environmental Protection Act 1990 but they were supportive of the subsequent actions of the Council in dealing with the sand removal. \n
• Complaints from the public were not recorded or treated with sufficient attention to detail or gravitas.

John McBride, Chief Executive, Borough of Poole, said: "This rigorous investigation which has taken several months to conduct, is a measure of just how seriously we have taken this incident. It has been matched by the steps taken to deal with the situation once it had occurred. Poole's beaches are one of the town's most valuable assets and Councillors and members of the public should be reassured by the recommendations under consideration.

"Following the investigation, appropriate action has taken in accordance with the Council's Disciplinary Procedure.  It is not the Council's policy to comment further on staffing matters."

Rachael Mills, Media Relations Officer, Marketing Services, Borough of Poole tel 01202 633295