Pollution from underground fuel tanks at the former Shell filling station next to the Scott Fyffe garage in Dundee has rendered the site unusable for the next year.
Shell closed the filling station in September before demolishing the shop and overhead canopy and decommissioning the fuel tanks and piping.
The underground storage tanks and their infrastructure were then removed, however it’s believed there was widespread spillage and pollution underneath the tanks, which caused problems for the contractors.
The company’s agents said at the time: “Asbestos surveys will also be undertaken and any asbestos-containing materials that have been identified will be removed.
“Any environmental remediation that is required will also be undertaken at this time. The site will be left in a safe and secure condition upon completion.”
The company has now confirmed that work will not be completed until next year and has invited expressions of interest in the site to be submitted to its property agents, CBRE Group.
A source told The Courier: “They had to dig twice as deep down because of the pollution, I think they had to go down about 20 metres.
“Because of that it took a lot longer for the work to be done. I don’t know what Shell are planning for the site now, I’m not sure what could go there.”
A Shell spokesman said: “Following its closure, the site is being demolished and taken out of the industry.
“This involves removing all known petroleum infrastructure from above and below ground, in accordance with industry best practice and regulatory requirements.
“This work is ongoing and is anticipated to finish in 2015. The future of the site is not yet decided, expressions of interest in the site should be submitted to CBRE.”