April deadline for college asbestos

10:40am Saturday 22nd March 2008

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WORK is being carried out at Andover College to remove or manage asbestos discovered in one of the older buildings.

The asbestos was found after a new buildings management strategy was put in place as part of the merger with Sparsholt College.

Within the requirements of this, an asbestos survey of the Andover campus was carried out in autumn 2007.

Abestos was found as a result and managers are in the process of arranging for it to either be managed in-situ, removed or encapsulated by a licensed contractor under close supervision.

Work began in December last year and is on schedule for completion by the end of April.

The asbestos, which was found within ceiling voids, is not in direct contact with people or the immediate environment in which they are working.

The operation has been planned to ensure any disruption is minimised and that staff and students are fully informed throughout.

Vice principal Martin Simmons said: "Work has been carried out with great sensitivity by our contractors and staged in small zones to minimise impact.

"Students have responded very positively - we have not had any instances where teaching has been disrupted and our learners have fully respected the signage and notices on site."

To assure everyone of the continued safety of using the building, the college has asked a separate specialist consultant, independent of the licensed contractor removing the asbestos, to carry out air test monitoring during the asbestos removal.