Health concerns raised after suspected asbestos found in Leeds park

A woman walking with friends in Beckett Park on Sunday (April 25) said she spotted what appeared to be pieces of asbestos roofing tiles.

The woman said the pieces of suspected asbestos were on a path at the entrance to woodland in Beckett Park behind Queenswood Mount in Kirkstall.

The woman, who does not want to be named, took photographs and reported the incident to Leeds City Council.

She said: "It may be that this asbestos was dumped some time ago and has laid in the undergrowth, but the increased amount of visitors to the woods during lockdown and people riding mountain bikes into the woods has uncovered these pieces."

"As I have walked through these woods many times during the last year for my exercise, I am very shocked and worried about this discovery.

"I'm worried for my own health and also other people visiting the park and woods.

"When I got home on Sunday I immediately contacted the council's fly tipping department.

" I am concerned that due to people working from home and budget cuts it may be overlooked, or not be dealt with.

"I think this is something more serious than the fly tipping department dealing with it, because if the asbestos breaks up more, it may contaminate a larger area.

"I also think people need to be aware of the danger of stumbling across something like this in the woods, especially when people are walking dogs and have small children playing."

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: "“We take waste crimes very seriously and they will not be tolerated.

"We are currently responding to this incident with our specialist asbestos removal and fly-tipping enforcement teams.

"Our teams will obtain the evidence and investigate this further.”