MIDLOTHIAN COUNCIL EDUCATION KING’S PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL 20 CROFT STREET DALKEITH EH22 3BA Head Teacher : Ms Arlene Limerick Telephone: 0131 271 4610 Fax No: 0131 663 2914 Kingspark_ps@midlothian.gov.uk Dear Parents and Carers, You may have become aware of some additional activity around the building that is being renovated in Croft Street. This building is not part of the school but I have dedicated significant time to liaise very closely with Senior members of Midlothian Council over the last few days to be able to determine facts that can be communicated to parents and carers. Senior Council staff have been extremely supportive to the school in offering reassurance. As a result of the meetings I have had, I feel reassured that the incident was responded to appropriately. The following statement has been prepared by Midlothian Council for issue today: "While carrying out work inside a building on Croft Street Dalkeith, contractors working for the council uncovered material containing asbestos. Work was immediately stopped in the building and the property made secure. As soon as the council received formal confirmation that asbestos material had been found, it made the Health & Safety Executive and Public Health, NHS Lothian, aware of the situation. As a precautionary measure, an environmental cleaning operation was carried out of the immediate vicinity of the building on 23 April 2015. Air tests carried out inside the building and in the immediate vicinity have confirmed no asbestos fibres within the atmosphere. Subsequent tests of material and debris within the property have confirmed small quantities of material with an asbestos content. The building remains securely locked whilst arrangements are made to remove these materials. The council has kept the HSE and Public Health informed throughout. Following the negative air tests there is considered to be very little risk to members of the public, however the council will continue to act to protect the safety of contractors, staff and members of the public." Kind regards Arlene Limerick Headteacher