Mount Batten Beach in Plymouth will be closed from today after tests showed high levels of asbestos fibres in the sand.
Further investigations are now under way and the beach will remain off limits to the public until further notice.
The decision has been taken by the Director of Public Health in consultation with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The aim is to protect the public from the potential risks to health from asbestos fibres.
Asbestos was widely used in building construction and is only hazardous to health if it breaks down and fibres are released into the air.
Material containing asbestos was first identified on Mount Batten Beach in 2019 – however, samples at that time showed a very low level of asbestos fibres in just one of 16 sand samples.
Popular Plymouth beach Mount Batten has been closed after asbestos was found
A warning is now in place, prohibiting the public from entering the beach
A recent review of the risk assessment showed that since 2019 the volume of asbestos material being collected from the beach has not reduced over time.
Repeat sampling of the sand in recent weeks has found asbestos fibres in 14 of 16 sand samples, with two asbestos types present and at levels deemed ‘hazardous waste’ by the contractor. These fibres represent a risk to health if inhaled.
Plymouth City Council wrote on Facebook: ‘We’ve taken the difficult decision to close Mount Batten Beach after tests revealed high levels of asbestos fibres in the sand, which are a potential risk to health.
‘Further investigations and tests now need to be carried out and the beach will remain closed to all users until further notice.
‘For your own safety, please stay off the areas clearly marked by signs and fencing while further testing around the beach is carried out to assess the risks.
‘We know the closure will be a big disappointment for many beach users – especially during this warm weather – but it is important that everyone stays safe. Please bear with us and enjoy other areas of the Mount Batten peninsula.’
Mount Batten Beach is popular among visitors, with a 4.4 rating on Google reviews
Professor Steve Maddern, Plymouth Director of Public Health, said: ‘Closing a beach that is well used by local residents is the last thing we want to do and we understand the disappointment this will cause but the latest sand samples are concerning and we must prioritise the safety of the public.
‘We need to carry out further tests, including assessing the risk of airborne fibres and conducting a further survey to try and trace exactly where the materials are coming from.
‘I would urge everyone, for their own safety, to take notice of the signage around the beach and not to enter areas that have been closed. Once we have carried out further tests we will know what needs to be done to reduce the risks on the beach.
‘We would ask everyone to bear with us and be patient while this work takes place and to enjoy the other beautiful areas of the Mount Batten peninsula, including the Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre, in the meantime.’
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