WORK on the planned £3.5 million railway underpass in Royston will not begin until a detailed survey is carried out over desposits of asbestos on the track. But Royston s county councillor Doug Drake told The Crow: Everything will be done under Health &

WORK on the planned £3.5 million railway underpass in Royston will not begin until a detailed survey is carried out over desposits of asbestos on the track.

But Royston's county councillor Doug Drake told The Crow: "Everything will be done under Health & Safety ­procedures.

"We always knew this was a problem and steps are being taken to overcome it," he said.

And a spokesman for Herts County Council said: "We are aware that some time in the 1920s asbestos was used to make up the track.

"We have always known that it's there and we have taken it into account when drawing up our plans."

The spokesman said there will be a full investigation into the matter before "we start thinking about digging it up".

Asbestos had been disovered over the years on nearby allotments and has been disposed of through safe measures

The planned subway at Coombes Hole recently received £300,000 from the People's Million ­Lottery Giveaway.