By Calum Ross - 13/11/2009 - The Press and Journal

WORK on a new Aberdeen primary school has been hit with a three-month delay after asbestos was found on the site.

Local authority officials have warned that a “significant” amount of asbestos was found during demolition work at Kaimhill Primary School this month.

It follows similar finds during work at the new Manor Park Primary and the renovation of Seaton Primary, which led to delays and additional project costs.

The schools are being replaced as part of Aberdeen City Council’s flagship £120million 3Rs school building programme, which has seen the opening of new Cults and Bucksburn academies, as well as Airyhall and Heathryburn primaries, this year.

Kaimhill pupils have been attending Braeside school since October 1, while their replacement school is built.

Graeme Traill, 3Rs adviser to the council, said: “During the demolition surveys significant quantities of asbestos were discovered in the structure of the building.

“Works to remove this are under way. It is estimated that this could delay the building schedule by as much as 13 weeks, although attempts will be made to reduce this considerably.

“There will be considerable potential cost associated with the removal of the asbestos and costs associated with any delay that may occur.”

Kaimhill will be the last of the 10 new 3Rs schools to be completed when it opens in December next year.