Today, 1 March, we have announced that the final site of decontamination in Salisbury - Christie Miller Road - is safe, and has been handed to the South Wiltshire Recovery Coordinating Group.
The completion of the clean-up work marks a significant milestone in South Wiltshire’s return to normality following the sickening novichok nerve agent attack last year. The property was declared safe following extensive cleaning and testing by specialist teams. This activity has been carried out to the highest standard to make sure the public could be fully confident sites are safe afterwards.
In total, nine sites affected by the Salisbury incident were identified as requiring specialist decontamination, and a further three sites were identified in Amesbury following the incident in June.
Over the last 11 months, around 190 military personnel from the Royal Air Force and Army, supported by specialist contractors, have undertaken highly specialised decontamination work as part of our precautionary approach to the clean-up across the twelve sites identified in Salisbury and Amesbury.
Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said:
I want to thank all involved in the decontamination process in what has been a challenging year. Their professionalism, expertise and thoroughness have been exemplary.
While decontamination may be complete, government support for the region will not end and we continue to do all we can to help Salisbury and Amesbury thrive.
Earlier this month, Business Minister Lord Henley was appointed Ministerial Champion for Salisbury, providing local leaders with a single point of contact in the heart of Government as the local area focusses on boosting business in the wake of the attack. As Salisbury gets back to business, the Government is working hand-in-hand with local leaders to deliver an ambitious local Industrial Strategy for the area, ensuring Salisbury not only recovers, but leads the way in some of the industries of the future.
Business Minister Lord Henley said:
In my capacity as Ministerial Champion for Salisbury I am continuing to champion the city and lead efforts to ensure this great city of culture and character continues to thrive, now and in the future.
The final site of decontamination in Salisbury being confirmed as safe is a significant moment for the area and the Government is working hand-in-hand with local leaders to deliver an ambitious local Industrial Strategy for the area. We are committed to ensuring Salisbury not only recovers, but leads the way in some of the industries of the future.
We have committed over £13m since March 2018 to support businesses, boost tourism and meet unexpected costs of the incidents. £9.6m of that is special grant police funding.