Asbestos in 21 Edinburgh West Schools, Nurseries Edinburgh West 2026

Key Points

• A total of 21 schools and nurseries in Edinburgh West have been identified as containing asbestos on their premises.
• The disclosure has sparked concerns among parents, staff, and political representatives over the safety of school environments.
• Christine Jardine, MP for Edinburgh West, has written to City of Edinburgh Council chief executive Paul Lawrence demanding clarity on remediation plans.
• Ms Jardine emphasised the need for reassurance that communities are not at risk from asbestos exposure.
• In her letter, Ms Jardine requested easily accessible information on how the council will safely and timely address the asbestos issue.
• She also called for quick responses to questions from affected school communities.
• Following the release of the asbestos data, Ms Jardine stated publicly that parents, pupils, and staff seek reassurance about asbestos in their schools.
• The list covers sites across Edinburgh West, prompting fresh calls for action.

Edinburgh West (Edinburgh Daily News) February 27, 2026 – A total of 21 schools and nurseries across Edinburgh West have been named as containing asbestos on their premises, raising immediate safety concerns among parents, staff, and local representatives. The disclosure has prompted urgent calls for action, with Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine writing to City of Edinburgh Council chief executive Paul Lawrence to seek detailed clarity on remediation efforts. Communities affected are demanding reassurance that no risks exist from the hazardous material in educational settings.

What Schools and Nurseries Are Affected?

The 21 institutions span various sites throughout Edinburgh West, though specific names have not been detailed in initial disclosures to avoid undue alarm prior to council responses. As reported in the original coverage, these premises fall under the Edinburgh West locality, highlighting a concentrated issue in this part of the city. Parents and staff at these locations have expressed heightened worry, particularly given asbestos’s known health risks when disturbed, such as mesothelioma and lung diseases from fibre inhalation.

The presence of asbestos in public buildings like schools is not uncommon in older UK structures built before the 1980s ban, but its confirmation in 21 sites has amplified scrutiny on maintenance protocols. Local representatives underscore that while asbestos management plans typically exist, transparency remains key to maintaining trust.

Why Has Christine Jardine Intervened?

Christine Jardine, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, took swift action by penning a letter directly to Paul Lawrence, the City of Edinburgh Council’s chief executive. In her letter, Ms Jardine stated: “I know that many school and nursery communities will be concerned to read this information and will want reassurance that they are not at risk in any way from the presence of asbestos in their school.” This intervention reflects her role as a constituent advocate amid rising parental anxieties.

Ms Jardine further elaborated in the letter: “It would be incredibly helpful if you could provide easily accessible information about how the council intends to deal with the asbestos in a safe and timely manner and ensure that any questions they have about their schools are answered quickly.” Her proactive step aims to bridge communication gaps between the council and affected families.

In a public statement following the asbestos data release, Ms Jardine said many parents, pupils, and staff would be looking for “reassurance about the presence of asbestos in their schools.” This echoes broader calls from political figures for immediate council accountability.

What Risks Does Asbestos Pose in Schools?

Asbestos, a once-widely used insulating material, poses severe long-term health threats if fibres become airborne through disturbance during renovations or wear. In school settings, where children spend hours daily, even low-level exposure raises alarms due to developing lungs’ vulnerability. UK Health and Security Agency guidelines mandate strict management, including surveys and licensed removal where necessary.

Parents and unions have historically campaigned for proactive eradication in educational premises, citing cases where undetected disturbances led to closures. Here, the confirmed presence in 21 sites prompts questions on survey thoroughness and ongoing monitoring.

How Has the Council Responded So Far?

As of the latest reports, City of Edinburgh Council chief executive Paul Lawrence has yet to publicly reply to Ms Jardine’s letter, leaving a vacuum in official reassurances. The council maintains that all identified asbestos is managed per regulations, typically meaning it remains encapsulated and undisturbed. However, critics argue for accelerated surveys and public dashboards detailing each site’s status.

The list’s release aligns with Freedom of Information requests, a common journalistic tool exposing such issues. No statements from councillors or council spokespersons have emerged in immediate coverage, fuelling demands for a comprehensive action plan.

Who Else Is Calling for Action?

Beyond Ms Jardine, parents, staff, and political representatives across parties have voiced concerns. “Fresh calls for action and reassurance from parents, staff, and political representatives concerned about the safety of school environments,” notes the coverage, indicating widespread unease. This collective pressure underscores the story’s resonance in Edinburgh West.

Trade unions representing school workers may soon weigh in, given past advocacy for zero-tolerance policies. Community forums and social media amplify parental pleas for detailed risk assessments per site.

What Are the Next Steps Expected?

Ms Jardine’s letter demands “easily accessible information,” suggesting a council portal or hotline for queries could materialise. Timely remediation might involve phased removals during holidays to minimise disruption. Legal obligations under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require councils to assess and label asbestos, but public faith hinges on demonstrable progress.

Political scrutiny could escalate if responses lag, potentially drawing Scottish Government oversight. Affected schools may implement enhanced air monitoring as an interim measure.

Why Is Edinburgh West Particularly Affected?

Edinburgh West’s older building stock, including Victorian and post-war constructions, contributes to higher asbestos prevalence. The locality’s dense cluster of schools and nurseries amplifies the 21-site figure’s impact. Comparative data from other Edinburgh areas remains undisclosed, but this revelation spotlights maintenance disparities.

Urban regeneration plans in the area now face added complexity, with asbestos surveys prerequisite for upgrades. Historical underinvestment in public building upkeep has long been debated locally.

How Does This Fit Broader UK Trends?

Similar scandals have rocked English councils, like those in Rochdale and Sheffield, where asbestos prompted closures. Scotland’s asbestos legacy, from shipbuilding eras, mirrors national challenges, with over 4,000 annual UK deaths linked to historical exposure. Journalists tracking education safety note recurring themes: delayed surveys, cost constraints, and reactive policies.

The Herald Scotland’s initial report positions this as part of ongoing local scrutiny, urging systemic reform. Neutral observers await data on abatement funding allocations.

What Reassurances Can Parents Expect?

Ms Jardine prioritises “reassurance that they are not at risk in any way,” aligning with expert views that undisturbed asbestos poses minimal immediate danger. Councils must affirm regular inspections and emergency protocols. Parent-teacher associations could facilitate Q&A sessions with officials.

Health advisors recommend ventilation checks and no-DIY policies during works. Long-term, full eradication remains the gold standard, though budgets constrain pace.

Implications for School Operations?

No immediate closures are reported, preserving education continuity. However, heightened vigilance during maintenance is advised. Nurseries, serving youngest children, draw extra concern due to crawling behaviours increasing floor-dust contact risks.

Staff training refreshers on asbestos protocols are standard, but unions push for independent audits. Holiday-period works could expedite fixes without term-time upheaval.