Work Is Underway To Remove Asbestos From Schools After Government Funding Permission

Specialist asbestos lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Cambridge office have welcomed the news that successful government grant applications mean harmful asbestos can now be removed from two Bishop's Stortford schools and from Leventhorpe in Sawbridgeworth.

The removal is being financed by the Government’s latest Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), which received just over 3,500 applications last Christmas, after academies and sixth forms were encouraged to apply.

The money from the CIF fund was allocated after ministers determined that the highest priority cases this year are compliance, and health and safety.

Funding of over £435m has been announced for 1,276 projects, across 1,030 academies and sixth-form colleges.

The projects not only include asbestos removal, but replacement of windows at Leventhorpe in Sawbridgeworth, and at Birchwood High School in Parsonage Lane.

Asbestos will also be removed from Windhill21 Primary School, where improvements will also be made to flat roofs, roof lights, and insulation.

Asbestos was widely used in building construction before 2000, and still kills around 5,000 workers each year – more than the death toll on the roads.

Irwin Mitchell partner, Rosemary Giles, said:

Expert Opinion

“The nature of our work means we see first-hand the terrible consequences that asbestos exposure can have on so many lives, not just victims affected by conditions such as mesothelioma but also their loved ones.

“Asbestos exposure has long been regarded as something that only happens in heavy industry, but the presence of the material in so many public buildings such as schools and hospitals means that more and more people who are not working in traditional construction trades are being affected.

“Having seen the devastation that asbestos exposure in schools and public buildings has caused our clients and their families, we have repeatedly called for a dedicated programme to identify public buildings across the country containing asbestos.

“Therefore, it is promising to see that the government is recognising the importance in the removal of asbestos, and the impact in health it can have with this being a high priority for the CIF cases.”
Rosemary Giles - Partner

If you or a loved one has been affected by an asbestos related illness, our solicitors can help you to claim compensation. See our Asbestos Claims page for more information.