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Motherwell tower block residents evacuated over asbestos Motherwell residents evacuated over asbestos will be out until Monday
(about 9 hours later)
A tower block in Motherwell has been evacuated after workers disturbed asbestos in the building. More than 100 residents evacuated from flats in Motherwell when asbestos was disturbed by workers will remain out of their homes over the weekend.
North Lanarkshire Council said more than 100 residents had been moved out of Anderson Tower, Anderson Street, as a precaution. North Lanarkshire Council said all residents had been moved out of Anderson Tower, Anderson Street, on Thursday as a precaution.
Scottish Power had been replacing mains cables in the building at the time. Some people were put up in hotels and temporary council accommodation, while others stayed with friends and family.
A council spokesman said initial testing had shown "a number of positive results" but said there was not thought to be any immediate risk to health. Clean-up work on dust found in halls and lobbies will continue until Monday.
The council said arrangements had been made for overnight accommodation for residents. The council's housing operations manager Stephen Llewelyn said: "As a precautionary measure, the contractor has been instructed to clean all halls and communal areas.
A council spokesman said: "The clean-up operation, led by specialist asbestos contractors, will be followed by further air quality testing. "Tenants will not be able to return to the building until we are satisfied that this is complete."
"Tenants will be allowed to return when our experts are satisfied with the test results. Safety standards
"This is the first time North Lanarkshire Council has decanted an entire tower block. We have robust procedures in place and are pleased the operation went smoothly." He added: "We are confident that any risk is extremely low. Asbestos generally poses a health risk through exposure over a long period in high concentrations.
He added: "We are proud of all our staff who turned out to help at short notice and assisted tenants with sympathy and professionalism." "What we have found is small areas of settled dust.
"We are working closely with Scottish Power, their contractors and the Health and Safety Executive to ensure all safety standards are met."
Mr Llewelyn added that residents "fully appreciate" the efforts of council staff.
He said: "We are very grateful to both the residents and their families for their support.
"Emptying a block of flats within the timescale was no easy task and we are pleased that, working with the tenants and their families, this was a textbook operation."