A freedom of information request has listed more than 30 Sutton schools that still have asbestos in them.

The potentially-deadly material is present in 31 council-maintained schools and 52 council-operated buildings, borough officials revealed.

Asbestos had been used in buildings until the 1980s when it was discovered that prolonged exposure to the substance’s fibres could cause people to develop serious and fatal illnesses, including cancer.

The latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive, an advisory organisation that aims to reduce workplace deaths, found that 2,515 people died from mesothelioma cancer in 2014. 

Sutton Council has paid no compensation in the past five years for any asbestos-related cases.

However, asbestos is not considered a risk if it is in good condition and is in a place where it cannot be damaged.

A Sutton Council spokesman said: “Advice from the Department for Education states the presence of asbestos in itself does not present a risk to health providing it is not disturbed and is maintained in a safe condition. Proactively removing asbestos has the potential to increase risks to pupils and staff.

“Sutton Council follows the advice of the Department for Education and works with local schools to monitor asbestos and ensure its safe maintenance.

“As per government advice we regular monitor asbestos and there are no plans to proactively remove asbestos from any sites in Sutton.

“Any removal will be carefully planned and managed to ensure it is done so safely without risks to pupils or staff."

The list of buildings and schools in Sutton that still have asbestos in them can be seen below.

Council-maintained schools:

  • All Saints C o E –Rotherfield Road
  • Amy Johnson Primary
  • Bandon Hill Primary – Meadow Field
  • Bandon Hill – Wood Field
  • Bandon Hill Oak Road
  • Barrow Hedges Primary School
  • Beddington Infants
  • Cheam Common Infants
  • Devonshire Primary School
  • Dorchester Primary School
  • Foresters Primary School
  • Hackbridge Primary School
  • High View Primary School
  • Holy Trinity C o E Junior
  • John Fisher
  • Manor Park Primary
  • Muschamp Primary
  • Nonsuch Primary School
  • Robin Hood Junior School
  • Spencer Nursery School
  • St Ceilia’s RC Primary
  • St Dunstans C o E Primary
  • St Mary;s Infant
  • St Mary’s Junior
  • St Philomena’s
  • Stanley Park Infants School
  • Stanley Park Junior School
  • The Federation of St Elphege’s and Regina Coeli Catholic       Schools
  • The Federation of Thomas Wall Nursery and Robin Hood       Infants School
  • The Limes College
  • Drapers Building QM Hospital

Council-maintained buildings:

  • The Ecology Centre
  • Little Holland House
  • Stanley Park Allotments
  • Cheam Priory DC
  • Cheam Library
  • Unit 3 and 4 Lower Square
  • Scill Centre
  • Westmead Road Allotment Hut
  • Therapia Lane Depot
  • Hill House
  • Roundshaw Pavilion
  • Sutton CAB
  • Central Library Sutton
  • Civic Offices
  • Gander Green Lane Allotments
  • Lawnview, The Grove
  • Carshalton Bowls Pavilion
  • The Registry Office
  • Cheam Park Nursery Allotment
  • Cheam Park Depot
  • Cheam District Office 314 Malden Road
  • Bandon Hill Cemetery
  • 97 Plough Lane, Bandon Hill Cem House
  • Cheam Bowls Pav
  • Green Wrythe Lane Allotments
  • Sutton Cemetery
  • 30 Alcorn Close
  • 32 Alcorn Close
  • Cuddington Bowls Pavilion
  • Corrigan Avenue Pavilion
  • Benhill Allotments
  • The Grove Offices, Annex and Nest
  • Heritage Centre
  • Wallington Library
  • The Lodge
  • Gibson Road Car Park
  • 1 Mill Lane
  • Times Square Car Park
  • Sutton Family Centre
  • Hannibal Way Pavilion
  • Thorncrodt Rd Stores
  • Bucklands Way Allotment
  • 24 Denmark Road
  • Stonecourt, inc Bungalow, Annex
  • Manor Park Messroom and Stores
  • The Grange Lodge
  • 204 Thornton Road
  • Rosehill Bowls Pavilion
  • Sutton Common Bowls Pavilion
  • Ludlow Lodge
  • Century Youth Centre
  • Sutton Volunteer Bureau