By Isle of Wight ObserverFly-tippers who left a load of asbestos roof tiles on a bridleway in Wroxall will be pursued for their “dangerous and anti-social action”, the Isle of Wight Council has warned.
The substantial dump of tiles and facia boards all tested positive for chrysotile or white asbestos fibres and a cordon was placed around the material after it was discovered on September 14.
A specialist team have been deployed to remove the asbestos in an operation that will cost Island council taxpayers more than £2200. It will be cleared on Monday (September 24).
Cabinet member in charge of waste Councillor Michael Murwill said: “This was an anti-social and dangerous thing to do that could have harmed the public and we will do all we can to find the culprits and prosecute them for their crime.
“Council staff and our waste contractor Amey did a great job making sure the material was properly handled, tested and safely isolated after it was reported so this fly tip didn’t cause any harm to residents in this case.
“However, I would ask the public to look closely at the picture of the debris to see whether they can recognise where it might have come from. Are there any houses or buildings near you who have been refurbished lately that might have had these tiles on them?
“If you recognise them contact the council. We want to find who did this and make sure they answer for their actions.”
Chrysotile Asbestos is the most common form of asbestos and considered less dangerous than other types. However, most authorities still consider it hazardous to humans. In this case the asbestos was encapsulated inside the tiles.
For more details about disposing of asbestos, visit the council’s website here.
Isle of Wight Observer