Demolition delay due to asbestos contamination

VANDALISM, arson, theft, antisocial behaviour and flooding at the Golden Eagle have been blamed for delaying its long-awaited demolition until autumn next year.

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

The Golden Eagle in Thornaby and, below left, MP Andy McDonald

Attacks have spread asbestos through the eyesore Thornaby building, contaminating the whole of the former hotel, along with a major water leak.

Stockton Council officers say knocking it down will now take 62 weeks rather than the 36 weeks originally thought, and it will need another £600,000 to remove asbestos, adding to a previous projected cost of £1.52m.

The “carbuncle” was found to be riddled with asbestos earlier this year in what Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald described as “one of the most complicated demolition jobs of its kind ever performed in the UK”.

It was the worst one surveyor had ever seen, said Councillor Richard Eglington, cabinet member for regeneration, in July.