A JPS Earthmoving 20 tonne excavator demolishing the 1950s garage next to New World, Carterton. PHOTO/KAREN COLTMAN
KAREN COLTMAN
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A derelict service station in central Carterton has been demolished to make way for supermarket car parks.
The vacant 1950s service station next to New World on High St was taken down by JPS Earthmoving, who could not start work until material containing asbestos was removed from the building.
Products containing asbestos are a health hazard when cut, sanded, or ground because toxic fibres are released into the air.
When fibres are inhaled, they can cause lung disease.
Managing director of JPS Earthmoving, James Sokalski and his team made quick work taking down the 60-year-old service station and another 1980s building behind it.
There was one excavator operator and a few “spotters” on site to ensure falling debris wouldn’t damage surroundings.
The site was flat within the week.
“We have taken out 11 truckloads of demolition waste from the site and 14 truckloads of concrete,” Sokalski said. “I reckon about a hundred tonnes are out of there now.”
Foodstuffs, which owns New World, had an asbestos management plan as required under the Health and Safety at Work [Asbestos] Regulations 2016 and engaged HAZMAT to remove the asbestos.
Foodstuffs confirmed they still owned the land but had plans to expand the New World car park and sell the rest of the land on the site, “most likely to a retailer”.
They said, no sale had concluded at this stage.
