Asbestos to be removed from former hotel

A council has said work to safely remove materials containing asbestos from a privately-owned former hotel will begin on Monday.

Torbay Council said the works were part of ongoing management of the buildings at 62-70 Victoria Street in Paignton, Devon.

In July the council said it had appointed contractors to fully demolish the buildings.

It said ahead of the removal works the structure would be enclosed to create a "sealed and airtight" working environment and specialist licensed contractors will then remove asbestos insulating board from parts of the ground floor. It is expected to take approximately four weeks.

Councillor Chris Lewis said: "The safety of the public, local businesses and workers is our absolute priority.

"This work is being undertaken by specialist licensed contractors operating within a fully controlled environment and under stringent safety regulations."

He added: "The risk to people passing the site is extremely low, and the works have been carefully planned to minimise disruption while ensuring this important phase of work is completed safely."

The council warned anyone "attempting to enter the building or access the site poses a serious and potentially life-threatening risk".

"We are urging members of the public, particularly young people and urban explorers, not to enter the building," it said.

The authority said once it was safe it would continue work to deconstruct the remaining parts of the building and hoped it would be completed without further impact on the highway or major demolition machinery.

"Looking ahead, we hope the owners of 62-70 Victoria Street will bring forward proposals for the site's future through the planning process," it added.

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