Article: Asbestos found at station

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From the Melbourne Age click here!

Asbestos found at station

Asbestos found at station
Clay Lucas
June 21, 2011

ASBESTOS has contaminated a section of track at Flinders Street Station after work on a disused goods shed.

In March, contractors working for Metro removed an asbestos and cement roof on the shed at the western end of Flinders Street's platform one.

Passengers do not use this part of the platform.

During the removal works, significant amounts of asbestos dispersed over the tracks.

Metro last Wednesday issued a warning to its drivers not to get out of their cabins and onto the tracks if their train broke down at this location.

The operator says it is planning to remove the contaminated soil, but cannot say when or how it will do so without drastically disrupting trains.

Metro spokesman Chris Whitefield said there was no danger from the asbestos.

Metro has hired asbestos consultants Mairin to assess the level of contamination in the soil surrounding the old platform. Mairin has advised Metro that the contamination, ''while undisturbed is negligible''.

But one Metro employee said there were concerns about asbestos particles being stirred up by trains.

WorkSafe spokesman Michael Birt said it was satisfied with Metro's approach.

CLAY LUCAS

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/asbestos-found-at-station-20110620-1gbx3.html