City Hall say contractors have removed asbestos from Anglia Square on Magdalen Street- in line with health and safety measures - before razing the site to the ground.

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Debris from the demolition have caused serious disruption, with businesses being forced to close after a fog of dust descended on the road causing a total white out last week.

Some who work on the street have complained of effects on their health, which they fear are being caused by the dust.

Dust engulfed the street last week (Image: Submitted)

A council spokesman said: “We monitor air quality near Anglia Square and report on an annual basis. This report is due to be made to DEFRA by the autumn.

“Additionally, we would like to make it clear that any asbestos within the buildings is identified and recorded within surveys and is removed before the buildings are demolished.

“Our contractor, DSM Demolition Ltd, is accredited for asbestos removal and has assured us the removal of asbestos is in line with stringent UK health and safety measures and best practice to ensure negligible risk to the public and workers on site.”

A thick fog was covering the street (Image: Submitted)

Shops including Roys and Mercury Communications were forced to close last week due to the dust.

Leroy Barrett, 55, who runs Mercury Communications which is opposite the demolition site has said: "It was a total white out.

"A plume came straight over and engulfed us.

"It blew open the flaps on my shop door. I could not stay, I had to leave.

"My eyes were burning and my throat was sore.

"It looked like an explosion."

Dust has been worrying business owners on the street (Image: Submitted)

Others have described a metallic taste as they walk near the former 1960s shopping centre which is being torn down to be redeveloped.

Water is being sprayed by DSM - the contractors leading the demolition - in an effort to minimise dust being created from the work.  

An aerial view of the demolitions (Image: Wayne Stuart)

© Norwich Evening News