Maidenhead car park demolition delayed due to asbestos

Asbestos was found in an area of the car park that could not be accessed

The demolition of a car park has been delayed after asbestos was discovered.

Work to bring down the 1960s Broadway car park in Maidenhead, Berkshire, started in January.

Asbestos was found in an area of the car park that could not be accessed and was only exposed once demolition work began.

Councillor Geoff Hill, cabinet member for highways and transport, said the material was "common in many structures of this age".

It was discovered in part of the closed Broadway car park, between the wall and cladding of the King Street side of the building.

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead council then notified the Health and Safety Executive, which is now working with contractors to remove it safely.

Mr Hill said: "I'd like to reassure people that this doesn't pose any risk to the public and reiterate that it's located in an area not accessible to the public.

"These unforeseen circumstances will mean an extension to the original demolition programme, expected to be several weeks, while we work with our contractor to resolve this issue quickly and, importantly, safely."

A lane closure will be in place on Broadway from 13 May until 3 June.

A full closure, which was scheduled for April, has been moved to between 09:00 and 15:00 GMT on weekdays from 4 June to 13 June.

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