Tests have been carried at the former power station site in Hamworthy, Poole, after a small quantity of asbestos was uncovered during excavation work.
The materials, discovered during preparatory work for the construction of Poole’s Twin Sails Bridge, pose no risk to public health.
Borough of Poole and bridge contractors Hochtief (UK), immediately suspended work in the area to allow tests to be conducted at the former power station site.
Tests by a local asbestos specialist revealed some evidence of asbestos contamination in the form of insulation materials, rope gaskets and blankets buried on the site.
Jim Bright, Strategic Director, Borough of Poole, said: "We would like to reassure people that there is no health risk and arrangements are already in place for the safe removal and disposal of this material away from the site.
"As soon as the material was identified, the council and Hochtief (UK) acted immediately to contain the area and allow testing to be carried out. Fortunately, there are no large concentrations of asbestos and the materials do not have a high level of contamination.
"Materials of this type are not uncommon on former industrial sites and we do not expect this discovery to adversely affect the progress on construction of the bridge."
In April, Borough of Poole appointed Hochtief (UK), one of the leading international providers of construction-related services, to build the Twin Sails Bridge and the immediate approach roads in Poole and Hamworthy.
The 20-month construction phase of the £37 million regeneration project will see Poole’s much-needed second harbour crossing open in early 2012.
The Twin Sails Bridge will provide critical infrastructure for 26 hectares of brownfield land and unlock one of the largest regeneration sites in the South West. Over the next 10 years, this project is expected to deliver 2,000 homes, and create up to 5,000 jobs.
