MP demands answers for concerned parents

Hugh Gaffney syas he has“raised the concerns of parents, pupils and staff” while holding talks with the team conducting an independent review into site conditions at the Buchanan and St Ambrose high schools campus.

Investigations are currently being carried out on the quality of the soil, water, air and methane gas membrane following growing health concerns at the site.

The Coatbridge MP said:“I made it clear that the independent review must provide answers to the many questions that have been raised around health and safety risks at both schools.

“We have to ensure that current site conditions are not putting the health of pupils and staff at risk.”

The work was recommended by the independent review team, led by chief planning reporter Paul Cackette and public health specialist Dr Margaret Hannah; and results are due to be published ahead of next month’s start of the new school year.

Public concern about any potential health impact of the site has recently escalated after four teachers at the campus were diagnosed with the same rare form of bladder cancer, while Plains mum Josie Morgan told how son Tommi lost his sight and has elevated arsenic levels in his system after starting at Buchanan High last year.

Review team members have also met North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire officials, plus parents, pupils and staff, and are“considering documents and other materials submitted to them”.

Both the local authority and health board are“fully supporting”the review.

The council has stated:“No incidence of cancer [or] other serious illness is connected to the schools or the site on which they are built”; and NHS Lanarkshire added:“At this point we have not found any evidence of an increased health risk associated with attending the schools.”