News

Hawkinge Parish Council has acted swiftly to fence off part of the village hall following a structural survey carried out on the building brought the attention of councillors to corrugated asbestos panels at the rear of the hall adjacent to the car park.

Parish Council Chairman David Callahan said: "The Parish Council has put a metal fence around the affected part of the building to protect the public.

"We are awaiting a report on the exact type of asbestos we are looking at.

"The structural survey report drew the council's attention to various aspects of the village hall and they will be discussed at the May parish council meeting when it is expected, the asbestos report will also be ready," Cllr Callahan added.

Asbestos has been extensively used over many years in materials for construction, refurbishment, decoration and finishes for buildings, lagging and insulation and in vinyl’s and thermoplastics.

Although its use has been banned in the UK for some time, much of this material is still in place.

In general, material that is in good condition and is not disturbed or damaged, does not present a significant risk. But if the material should be damaged or disturbed during maintenance, construction, other similar work, or by accident, it can present a health hazard.