Asbestos discovery delays roadworks by three months

The roadworks have been extended to allow for the removal and disposal of asbestos

A construction company has apologised to residents for the "inconvenience" caused by a delay in the completion of roadworks following the discovery of asbestos.

Upgrade works on the fire station roundabout near Watermoor in Cirencester, along with the mini roundabout at the junction of Love Lane and Midland Roundabout, are to improve traffic and safety, and mitigate flooding.

The roadworks were due to be completed in the spring, but this has now been delayed by three months, meaning they will last until the end of July.

Bathurst Development, the company behind the roadworks, said had it known about the asbestos it would have factored its removal and disposal into the timing of the project.

Asbestos was found in several areas across the site after the improvement works started.

The removal and disposal procedures are the main cause of the delay, developers said.

"On each occasion asbestos was found, work had to be stopped to ensure safety of the working environment, and it has taken time while the materials and the wider area was tested, excavated and the relevant contaminated soils removed for controlled disposal," a spokesperson for Bathurst Development said.

The developers added that the discovered asbestos is of a low level of contamination but significant enough to require specialist decontamination and removal.

"There will be residual areas that are untouched by the current works in which asbestos may remain," the spokesperson added.

"Since our last community update in April, Gloucestershire County Council Highways has agreed that the final resurfacing of the roundabout can take place between 7 to 18 July.

"We do apologise for the inconvenience these necessary works will cause.

"Our contractors are working as quickly and safely as they can to complete the works and move off site."