Did workers breathe the killer dust?

Network Rail has admitted the shocking situation that equipment rooms in two sites in the town have been contaminated one classed as medium risk and another medium to high. This means around 30 staff have been exposed to the potentially lethal dust. It is thought that the asbestos was disturbed when ceiling tiles were removed in a repair programme in 2000 and 2001.

Asbestos exposure is a major factor in lung disease, including mesothelioma, the cancer which is often referred to as the Swindon Disease because of its prevalence among former Railway Works staff.

One of the Network Rail staff involved, who asked not to be named, told the Evening Advertiser: "There are about 30 blokes involved, and some have actually been sweeping out these buildings every month."

The buildings are relay rooms, and house the hundreds of switches needed to keep the signals system operating, and the repair crews are also sent into the buildings to repair and maintain these switches. The employee added: "We're all very worried and upset about this. We've just been left to contact our doctors for advice and we don't seem to be getting any help from management.

"It all started about seven weeks ago when our supervisors told us there was a possibility of contamination." Crews are now given protective gear to wear before going into the buildings. A few weeks later, work crews were issued with copies of a report into the presence of asbestos. The report stressed that the air in the buildings known as Wootton Basset East and West was found to be clean but asbestos was found on surfaces. Of Wootton Bassett East, the report said: "The site is considered contaminated and classified as a medium/high risk site." The verdict on Wootton Bassett West is: "Asbestos fibres were found in samples of dust taken from the floor." Network Rail spokeswoman Kirsty Anderson said asbestos ceiling tiles were stripped from some 60 buildings in the West during 2000 and 2001 in a bid to prevent leaks but that a recent inspection of one near Gloucester revealed unused asbestos collection bags left behind by a work crew.

This prompted further investigations, which in turn revealed that 11 buildings, including the ones in Wootton Bassett, had traces of asbestos.

She added: "We never subject our staff to unnecessary risks if we know asbestos is present, we ask them to take the necessary precautions, such as wearing protective clothing."

The spokeswoman insisted that the workers were kept fully informed and were made aware of the problem as soon as it emerged. The firm launched a full clean-up of the buildings and would offer the men advice.

Expert opinion

One of the world's foremost experts on asbestos-related illnesses is solicitor Brigitte Chandler, who works for the Charles Lucas and Marshall legal firm in Wood Street, Old Town.

She has dealt with countless compensation claims from sufferers and their loved ones, including many of the Railway Works staff commemorated by the Swindon Disease memorial garden in Queen's Park.

The garden was paid for with donations by local people and firms, following an appeal in the Evening Advertiser. She said the maintenance workers should seek confirmation of the situation from Network Rail, in advance of any future claims over health problems.

She also said she would urge anybody exposed to asbestos for longer than a decade to seek medical advice. But Ms Chandler stressed: "Not everybody who is exposed to asbestos goes on to develop symptoms as a result." Ms Chandler is heavily involved with the Swindon South West Asbestos Group, which offers support and advice for people with an interest in the subject.

She can be contacted on 01793 511055. The group can be reached on 01793 496395 and at www.asbestosgroup.co.uk.

Barrie Hudson