Park cleared to reopen with asbestos risk 'very low'

A playing field which has been closed for more than a year is set to reopen after an investigation found the risk to human health from asbestos material in the ground to be "very low".

The Valley Playing Field in Chalford, Gloucestershire, was levelled in the 1940s using asbestos-cement materials.

It was closed in July 2025 after mole activity disturbed the buried asbestos and brought fibres to the surface. But a Stroud District Council Environmental Health Team has determined that the site is category four, the lowest level of risk.

Andrew Morris-Wyatt, from Chalford Parish Council, said: "It's a huge relief because it's a very, very popular asset of the village."

He added: "Being next to the river, it's very popular with dog walkers. I'm very pleased that we can proceed with confidence knowing what contamination is there, that it's very, very low and that we know how to manage it."

The investigation found asbestos containing material from Fibrecrete was used to level the site, with chrysotile (white), crocidolite (blue) and amosite (brown) asbestos lying beneath the surface.

Morris-Wyatt said the council's grounds team could be exposed to higher levels of asbestos than the public for short periods of time, especially during mowing.

"We have purchased a new mowing machine because the new one has rollers back and front, which means that you flatten the mole hill when you start. It retains the mowings as it's cut underneath the mower, so it's not getting thrown into the air," Morris-Wyatt said.

"In the short term, that means our groundsman will need to wear protective equipment, but we're going to undertake some additional checks to test the air quality while the mowing is going on."

The playing field is due to reopen by 28 August.

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