Contractors are starting to remove soil that tested positive for asbestos fibres from the grounds outside the Mount Library.

Diggers will be on site today and works are expected to be completed by the end of the week.

An area where the asbestos contaminated soil was located had been fenced off since its discovery.

'The library will remain open as usual while the works are taking place,” says a statement from Tauranga City Council.

The building was cleaned by water blasting as part of routine maintenance late last year, which resulted in debris, including asbestos, being left in the soil.

'Once staff were aware of the presence of asbestos, no further water blasting was carried out.”

The asbestos fibres were from the parapet cladding and roof membrane.

The area was fenced off and matting laid down to contain the fibres, and the affected parts of the roof were sealed off.

'All necessary safety precautions will be taken during the works and we will have a full health and safety management plan in place.”