Residents Moved Twice Due to Asbestos
Residents in public housing developments in South Yorkshire, England have had to move from their homes a second time due to the threat of asbestos contamination.
An article in The Star reports that the Doncaster Council has moved residents out of 36 flats on the St. James Estate after workers modernizing the units encountered traces of dangerous asbestos during their work.
A similar incident occurred just a few weeks ago in another block of Doncaster Council homes. Residents of The Crescent, Woodlands, were removed from their homes for three weeks and finally returned this week after asbestos was found in those units as well.
Officials believe the residents affected by this latest episode will not be able to return to their flats until sometime in August. Doncaster College University Centre student Tshiama Nambombe, aged 48, is one of the displaced tenants.
“You think of asbestos as being seriously dangerous, so it was a real shock to hear what was happening,” he said. “They have told me it will be more than two weeks until we can go back. They originally told me it would be a week, and I only have a few things that I was able to take away.
“We’re expecting to be here (at other accommodations) until August 10 - it has been a big surprise, but we’re being well looked after. I need my books for my course but if it is the books or my health, it’s worth it. In the meantime, I’m having to struggle by without my things.”
The Mayor of Doncaster, Martin Winter, said risk to tenants was quite low but that they prefer to take extreme precautions rather than put anyone’s health in jeopardy. “I would like to thank all residents for their patience and understanding at this time,” he added.
