North Lanarkshire Council has confirmed tenants at Anderson Tower in Motherwell can return to their homes.

Last Thursday (3 July), more than 100 residents were forced to leave their homes after workers uncovered asbestos within the building. The disturbance was made as they were conducting mains cabling replacement and modernisation work. On Friday, a clean-up operation commenced by a specialist asbestos contractor and this continued over the weekend.

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North Lanarkshire Council's Housing Operations Manager Stephen Llewellyn said: "Emptying an entire tower block within a few hours was unprecedented in the council's history and it is to the credit of all our residents that it was carried out so smoothly.

"Residents were accommodated in hotels and council properties. A number stayed with friends or relatives for the weekend. "Housing and social work staff did their best to ensure those residents with special needs or medicinal care had their needs met.

"The decision to allow residents to return to their homes was taken only after the council was satisfied the building had been properly deep-cleaned and test results showed clear."

He added: "Works have also been carried out to seal areas where asbestos was disturbed. The health and well-being of our residents was paramount and we fully appreciate their understanding during this disruption."

(JP/CD)