Cladding to be stripped from 9 tower blocks
CLADDING BEING REMOVED FROM SALFORD BUILDINGS AFTER CHECKS
CLADDING is to be removed from nine tower blocks in Salford after the Grenfell Tower fire.
Each of the high rise buildings in Pendleton has cladding containing aluminium composite material. Similar cladding was used in Grenfell Tower, where so far 79 people are known to have died in an inferno.
The nine blocks are run by Pendleton Together on behalf of Salford council and were refurbished as part of £650m Private Finance Initiative to refurbish 1,250 homes in the area.
City Mayor Paul Dennett said it was ‘the right and moral thing to do.’
A total of 800 people live in the nine blocks, which are Whitebeam Court, Malus Court, Beech Court, Salix Court, Spruce Court, Holm Court, Hornbeam Court, Plane Court and Thorn Court.
Work to remove the cladding will begin imminently.
Although no fixed timescale has been set, it is understood the work will take place within days.
Officials say there is no reason to leave the homes and the work will not affect them. However, vulnerable and elderly residents will be temporarily re-housed if they wish.
Thorn and Spruce Court are 24storey blocks and the rest range between 16 and eight storeys.
Mr Dennett said: “Government tests are underway, but it is already clear that the aluminium composite cladding on our blocks must be removed and we are pressing ahead with our plans. We take the safety of our residents very seriously and are taking immediate steps.
“Replacing the cladding is a complex operation, and Pendleton Together will identify contractors to begin the job.”
Firefighters and local housing chiefs say they supported the decision.
Steve Close, chief executive of Together Housing, said: “We are currently carrying out checks and testing all aspects of our fire prevention work and have fire marshal patrols of all blocks 24-hours-a-day. In addition, we are currently visiting all our residents individually, holding drop-in sessions on each block and encouraging them to contact us via our dedicated email address at firesafety@pendletontogether. co.uk or via social media such as Twitter or Facebook. Alternatively, residents can call us on 0300 555 5567 or visit our office on Loganberry Avenue”. Council workers were distributing information leaflets to hundreds of residents. A series of drop-in sessions will take place for residents during next week to explain the changes and to allay any concerns.
We take safety of our residents seriously and are taking immediate steps Salford Mayor Paul Dennett