ASSURANCES about the safety of a site being prepared for a new school were given to leading Newport councillors.

Members of the cabinet called contractors working on Glan Usk Primary to a special meeting after residents raised concerns about the project.

Plans to build a replacement school for the crumbling Victorian buildings in Durham Road on part of the Glebelands caused controversy because toxic chemicals were once dumped on the site.

Specialist contractors have been carrying out remedial work since contracts were signed in March.

Cllr Ed Townsend, deputy leader of the council, said it was important they were sure everything was being done properly on a project of this nature.

Preparation of the site was now moving ahead and milestones were being met.

"We have to continue to work closely with our contractors and I am confident that the professionals are tackling the challenges of this project head-on.”

Concerns regarding contamination were a key issue for residents but environmental consultants reported good progress in the removal of old waste.

All site activities associated with the remediation works were subject to regular on-site environmental monitoring for airborne particulates and groundwater quality and no pollution has been recorded to date.

Work to put in a 600mm layer of capping material, which will act as barrier between the old ground and the new school, is also underway.

Cllr Townsend added: “We have always been given assurances that this site will be safe and more than suitable for a school and homes. The update we have heard reinforces that."

He said the new school was important to the area and they were keen to make sure it remained on schedule.

“It is a difficult project and it has always been our aim to make sure residents face as little disruption as possible."

Despite the withdrawal of Charles Church Developments Ltd from the project, and the resulting delay to the housing element of the scheme, plans are still on course for the completion of the school. Work to secure a new housing developer is ongoing. The new state-of-the-art facility is due to be completed at the end of 2009 so pupils can be welcomed through its doors in January 2010.