Salisbury businesses reopen for first time since nerve agent attack (tr)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk ^ | 5/26/18 | DIANNE APEN-SADLER

[BBell]

Fresh turf marks spot where poisoned Russian spy and his daughter were found slumped on a bench as sealed off Salisbury businesses reopen for first time since nerve agent attack

Thoroughfare near bench has been closed since nerve agent attack 11 weeks ago

Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia were found unconscious on bench on March 4

Businesses are preparing to reopen today as Salisbury makes steps in recovery

Shoppers were avoiding area over health and safety fears, harming businesses

Fresh turf marks the spot where former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found slumped on a bench after being poisoned by a military nerve agent in March.

It comes as businesses in the Maltings area of Salisbury are preparing to reopen as the city takes a 'massive step' in its recovery from the Novichok attack.

Wiltshire Council reopened thoroughfare at 8am this morning, nearly 11 weeks after the incident that thrust the cathedral city into the centre of a global diplomatic crisis.

Defra announced it had handed back the area from Government control on Monday after an 'extensive clean-up'.

Alistair Cunningham, head of the council's recovery effort, said the reopening of the shopping precinct represents a 'massive step the recovery for this beautiful city'.

'It has always been a priority to reopen this main economic thoroughfare, which takes visitors and shoppers from the main car parks to the city centre past the shops in the Maltings that have been directly affected,' he said.

'The Maltings site has undergone thorough testing and clean-up work by world-class specialists, and the public can be reassured that any traces of nerve agent that may have been present have been removed and the site presents no risk to public health.

[BBell]

Don't nerve agents naturally dissipate in a wet environment?