Project To Be Completed By March 2012

The Welsh Assembly Government’s decision to green light funding which will be used to remove asbestos from a hospital in the north of the country has been welcomed by an expert at Irwin Mitchell.

Edwina Hart, the health minister, has confirmed that £5.7 million has been made available to ensure that the deadly material, which was used on steelwork during the building’s construction, is safely removed from Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

There are strong hopes that the work to dispose of the materials will be completed by the end of March 2012.

Katrina London of Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office, who specialises in providing advice and support to those who have been affected by the terrible legacy of asbestos, said the plans were a positive step forward.

She explained: “We see first-hand the devastating impact that asbestos exposure can have on people who work with asbestos, as well as the threat it can pose to their loved ones who have come into contact with clothing carrying asbestos fibres.

“It is unacceptable that people should be placed in a situation where they can face the risk of asbestos exposure, so we welcome the decision to carry out thorough work which will guarantee in the long run that such dangers are removed from Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

“We hope the work is also carried out carefully and in compliance with the necessary safety guidelines, so workers are able to carry out the asbestos removal without facing any dangers themselves.”