TVU to re-open Reading Crescent Road site following asbestos all-clear

Wednesday 21 April 2010

Health and safety tests carried out over the weekend related to asbestos detection have shown that the Crescent Road site at Thames Valley University’s Reading campus continues to be safe for occupation by staff and students. The campus will therefore fully reopen from 9am on Monday 26 April and at no time have students or staff been placed at risk.

All classes normally located at the site will operate as normal from Monday 26 April.

As is the case with nearly all buildings of its age, asbestos has been used in the construction of the Crescent Road site. This does not pose a health risk as long as it is not disturbed by building works and remains in good condition.

Before undertaking any construction or refurbishment work, the University commissions independent and detailed surveys to ensure that the works will not present risk to either students or staff. The independent surveyors who conducted these recent tests have confirmed that the campus remains safe

The University will consider very carefully any future construction or building conversion works to ensure that health and safety is not compromised.

Notes

• The Crescent Road site in Reading was temporarily closed on Friday 16 April at 9am in order to enable survey work to be undertaken to ascertain the possible presence of asbestos. Preliminary survey work was carried out last week and TVU was notified of the possible risk on Thursday 15 April.
• Teaching at Crescent Road was suspended. Students being taught at Crescent Road were contacted to let them know about the closure and about alternative teaching arrangements for evening classes, which were moved to Kings Road.
• Staff ordinarily based at Crescent Road have been temporarily relocated to Kings Road for the week
• All activity at our separate Kings Road site has remained unaffected and will continue to operate as normal. Parking restrictions have been lifted at the Kings Road site during this period.
• Evening classes that were due to take place at Crescent Road this week are taking place at Kings Road instead. Specialist courses such as hair and beauty therapy, sport, and hospitality are not taking place.
• Course queries: If you are a student with a query about a specific course at Crescent Road, please e-mail: press@tvu.ac.uk or call 0118 967 5000.
• TVU has been updating its website and keeping students informed via text messages, e-mails and Twitter (twitter.com/TVUguru) or the 'Official Thames Valley University Group' on Facebook.