Legal action is being taken against the construction company that refurbished nine tower blocks in Salford with Grenfell-style cladding.

Pendleton Together is taking action against Keepmoat, the contractor which renovated the blocks in 2015 as part of a £650m scheme to improve homes in Pendleton.

Following the Grenfell fire in June 2017, which claimed the lives of 72 people, safety checks were carried out on high-rise blocks across the UK.

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Nine tower blocks managed by Pendleton Together on behalf of Salford City Council failed the tests, and it was discovered the same type of cladding that was used on Grenfell Tower, known as Aluminium Composite Material (ACM), had been fitted on the these blocks.

The nine tower blocks affected are Whitebeam, Malus, Beech, Salix, Spruce, Holm, Hornbeam, Thorn, and Plane.

Following the failed safety inspections, Pendleton Together hired building consultants Trident to carry out a review of the refurbishment works.

The council has declined a Freedom of Information request regarding details of Trident’s findings, however it confirmed that legal action against Keepmoat was taking place.

In response to the request, the council said: “Following the tragic fire at Grenfell the council’s PFI contractor, Pendleton Together Operating Limited (PTOL), appointed Trident as their fire safety experts.

“Whilst there is no Trident Report, any correspondence and information relating to Trident findings has been shared with the council.

“This information is subject to legal action against the original building contractor.”

Residents have complained about the condition of their homes

A number of complaints have been made by residents since the refurbishment, including windows that won’t open and large gaps underneath fire doors.

Residents have been promised action to make their homes safe for over a year, but funding complications have meant their situation remains the same.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Pendleton Together said: “Pendleton Together Operating Limited is currently in legal dispute with Keepmoat regarding work undertaken at Pendleton in Salford.

“Both parties are currently working towards a resolution, but as these matters are subject to ongoing legal discussions it would be inappropriate to issue any further comment.”

Salford Now contacted Keepmoat, but they declined to comment.

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