Thompsons Solicitors open free helpline following asbestos dump at Bingham youth centre
Scotland’s leading law firm dealing with asbestos related disease has opened a free legal advice helpline for families worried about the risks from asbestos dumped near an Edinburgh community centre.
Cement roofing tiles containing the potentially deadly substance were dumped at the beginning of July just yards from a youth centre and area regularly used by children playing. Despite numerous calls to Edinburgh City Council it took almost a month before the waste was removed.
Families in Bingham are furious at the delay which the Council claims was due to the need to arrange a specialist removal team for the job at the cost of £1,000.
Partner and Head of Thompsons Solicitors’ Lung Disease Team, Laura Blane has condemned the council for its lack of regard for health and safety, she said: “It is absolutely staggering that the Council allowed a potentially lethal substance to lie for almost a month with no regard whatsoever for the health of the local community. Anyone who has had the misfortune of experiencing an asbestos related illness will know the devastating impact this can have on the lives of the victims and their loved ones. For Edinburgh City Council to ignore these risks quite frankly beggars belief.
“Asbestos is a ticking time bomb which sadly can have horrific consequences. I’m sure the local community will have been left extremely worried and concerned as a result. I would urge anyone who wants to discuss these concerns to call Thompsons’ free helpline where they can talk to someone who has specialist knowledge of asbestos.”
Thompsons is warning that Edinburgh City Council could face a backlash in the future as a result of their actions in Bingham. A free helpline has been set up offering legal advice to anyone who may have been in contact with the substance. The helpline number is 0800 081 0054.
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