Work will cost millions admits town hall chief

WORK on removing cladding from nine Salford tower blocks has started as town hall bosses revealed that it will cost millions.

Each of the high rise buildings in Pendleton has cladding containing aluminium composite material, similar to that used on Grenfell Tower, where so far 79 people are known to have died in an inferno.

The removal started at 24-storey Thorn and Spruce Court yesterday.

And Pendleton Together, who manage the blocks for the council, have changed its fire safety policy.

A letter to residents says after talks with the fire service it has been decided in the event of a fire ‘the policy will now be for tenants to leave the building immediately if they are able to do so’.

Previously, tenants had been advised to stay in their flats.

City leaders say the government has indicated there will be cash to make buildings safe in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy. However, it is not yet clear how the money will be paid out - and how much is available.

But council chiefs say they are wasting no time to ensure the safety of residents.

Coun John Merry has been tasked by City Mayor Paul Dennett with co-ordinating the checking of 43 blocks across the city run by social housing providers and blocks run by private companies. He said: “We are trying to remove the cladding from the nine blocks as quickly as we can.

“We are talking about people’s lives being at risk. If the government renages on its promise to help, we will still do the work - but it will cost millions of pounds. We have to replace the cladding with something else to provide safe insulation.”

Residents are split over the plans to strip the cladding – and some even think it’s a waste of money.

Jay Hedgecock, 30, who lives with his parents in Salix Court said: “I think it’s the right decision. We were all really sad when we saw what had happened in London. And straight away you start looking at your block. I suspected we would have the same or similar cladding. My dad is bed-bound so if there was a fire we’d be in real trouble, I honestly don’t know how we’d get him out.”

However, Frank Smith, 67, who lives in Beech Court said: “I think it’s absolutely ridiculous. We’ve had a letter saying they’ve not had the test results through but they’re taking it down anyway. What’s the point of that? Why not wait for the results. I think they’re just giving in to pressure. People talk about the ‘council’s money’ but at the end of the day it’s our money.”