Asbestos waste is dumped at three cemeteries

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after building waste containing asbestos was dumped at three cemeteries in south London.

The waste was allegedly buried by a disposal company at the Camberwell Old, Camberwell New and Nunhead cemeteries with the help of a former Southwark council manager to avoid landfill charges.

The council has called in the Environment Agency and has begun legal action against its former employee and the disposal company.

It said no graves had been contaminated, although some land would now be unsuitable for burial plots. Annie Shepperd, chief executive of Southwark council, said: "As soon as the council was aware of the nature of the activity taking place we notified the appropriate regulatory body, the Environment Agency, which is now carrying out a criminal investigation.

"We are co-operating fully with their investigation. We are determined that those responsible are dealt with. On Monday of this week we started civil proceedings in the High Court against a south London tipping company, its owner and a former manager at Southwark council."

A specialist removal company has been employed to remove the waste.