AN ALLOTMENT holder has called for a decision to be made after asbestos was found at plots.

In 2012, United Utilities worked to improve Ulverston's sewer network by building a 17-metre deep storage tank beneath the Ellers allotments between Morecambe Road and Lund Terrace.

After last winter's flooding, allotment holders requested the soil be tested for sewage contaminants.

READ MORE: Ulverston residents set to benefit from new sewer work planned but disruption likely

Patricia Foster has the 17B plot but says she hasn't been able to access it since January.

The cost is £50 a year for a full allotment and £30 for half an allotment.

She said: "We pay annually however we are being kept in the dark. Soil testing was done in January and we were told to destroy all the crops and not eat anything due to contamination.

"We were told not to go down there and in the last few weeks, you have to ring the council to be accompanied to the site which has 40 plots, greenhouses, polytunnels and garden furniture.

"I feel like what the town council is failing to say is 'when do we quit' and that they're looking to end the tenancy."

(Image: Google) A spokesperson for Ulverston Town Council said: "The Ellers allotment site has always been prone to flooding in heavy rainfall due to the beck which runs through the site. The beck often overflows when it rains heavily.

"After the site flooded last winter, several allotment holders requested the soil be tested for sewage contaminants as they had concerns whether their produce was safe to eat.

"Ulverston Town Council arranged the soil to be tested by Westmorland and Furness Environmental Protection team who in conjunction with the LK group performed the first round of soil testing on the Ellers site at the end of January.

"We were advised in February by Westmorland and Furness Environmental Protection team to close the site until further tests had been carried out, which we did, and kept all Ellers allotment holders informed of this.

"Two further rounds of extensive soil testing were carried out which culminated in a report being shared with the Town Council on 31st May which we then shared with all Ellers allotment holders.

"The report stated that asbestos fibres were found throughout the site and although the risk is low, Ulverston Town Council now have two options. 1) Close the site long-term 2) remediate the site.

(Image: Google) "We are currently getting quotes for remediation work and Ulverston Town Council will then make a fully informed decision on the future of the site.

"In the meantime we are working with allotment holders to discuss various things such as allotment rent refunds, tool and property retrieval from the site and the possibility of moving to a different site if they wish to.

"To start these conversations, we have arranged two drop-in sessions this week for Ellers allotment holders to come and ask Ulverston Town Council any questions they may have.

"At all times we have followed the guidance from Westmorland and Furness Environmental Protection Team in the interests of public safety as allotment holders wellbeing is paramount for Ulverston Town Council.

"They advised us to close the site in February and have continued to advise us to keep the site closed to ensure the safety of all on the site.

"During this time it was made clear to allotment holders not to eat any of their produce, even produce which may have been stored and frozen."