Asbestos removal costs disputed

THE estimated £150,000 cost of removing asbestos from the former Chadderton Sports Centre and Baths has been branded a red herring.

And one councillor believes that the figure is being used as an excuse to demolish the Middleton Road building, which has been replaced by the new wellbeing centre.

Thieves contaminated the building when they stole copper piping encased in insulation containing asbestos in February.

Oldham Council estimated that a complete environmental clean-up would cost £150,000 and that demolition was the likely option.

The building, which is up for sale with the former Chadderton Library and police station, has now been secured with steel sheeting and a 24-hour guard.

Chadderton Historical Society applied to have the 1930s baths listed in a bid to save them, and want at least the facade or entrance to be retained.

Councillor Len Quinn said that £150,000 was the price of removing asbestos from the whole of the building, not just that which had been disturbed.

He has asked for, but not been given, a detailed breakdown of costs, and said: “Most of our secondary schools and a lot of buildings have asbestos. If you leave it alone and don’t disturb it, it is OK. To me, what they want to do is pull the building down. They have probably got some sort of deal for the police station.

“It is a red herring and we need more details. The building is part of our heritage and it is in the conservation area.”