A HUDDERSFIELD man had to wait three weeks for Kirklees Council to remove potentially dangerous asbestos from outside his home.

Philip Nicholas, 35, moved to Back Stanley Street, Lockwood, on August 14.

He said the unadopted road was covered in rubbish, including broken glass, nails, screws, overgrown plants and litter.

He set about trying to clear some of the rubbish with his neighbours.

But what worried Mr Nicholas, a care in the community worker, was a pile of broken asbestos insulation board.

It was 10 yards from his front door.

There are three types of asbestos - some more harmful than others.

The type found by Mr Nicholas is said to be safe unless it is broken up and fibres escape.

The fibres from the broken asbestos can be breathed in and cause cancer or lung disease.

Mr Nicholas said he had been unable to see his four-year-old son - who lives elsewhere - because he was afraid it was not safe for the boy to be there.

He said: "I'm upset because I haven't seen my son. He's wondering where I have gone."

Mr Nicholas contacted Kirklees Council several times to arrange for special asbestos removal officers to clear the material - but no action was taken.

Now he has received a phone call to say the team will be there within a week. If the council had not called, Mr Nicholas said he would have been willing to go to court to get the mess removed.

He said: "If we are paying council tax like everyone else, then we deserve the same services."

A council spokeswoman confirmed the asbestos would be removed.

She claimed: "This type of asbestos is safe if handled properly and can be transported to the waste site at Emerald Street by private individuals."

The council offers advice on asbestos removal on 01484 226478.

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