Work to replace unsafe cladding on nine Pendleton tower blocks, similar to that of Grenfell Tower, will finally start in 2020, Pendleton Together has announced.
After the Grenfell fire in 2017, an investigation into the Pendleton flats in Salford found that they were covered in the same material as the London block.Back in 2018, Salford City Council announced that Pendleton Together, who manage the tower blocks, did not receive any of the £400m government funding removal of the unsafe material. The government also blocked Salford City Council’s attempt of loaning the company £25m to finance the work.
A spokesperson for the firm said they are still working to secure a loan to finance the work, but repairs will start at the beginning of the year.
Salford mayor Paul Dunnett said that he would be asking the Prime Minister this week for extra funds to remove flammable cladding, describing that there was “an industrial crisis” on the issue.
Following the Bolton University fire, this week Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham admitted that those living in high-rise buildings have a right to be worried:
“Honestly… I don’t think we’ve woken up to the full implications of Grenfell.” he said.
“I believe there are many buildings out there with cladding on that don’t fit the technical definition of high rise.
“There will be many people living in buildings with this cladding today who will be very worried. If you were a parent living in a building with cladding, would you feel safe tonight?
John, 56, who is a resident in one of the nine blocks says that it is a “disgrace” that work to replace the unsafe material is only just starting:
“I think it is a disgrace that we have waited this long to be honest with you.
“I agree with the mayor, but I think he needs to take a long hard look at himself as to why he hasn’t done more to try and get this done sooner.
“Everyone involved should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.”
Fire doors are set to be replaced and new heat alarms and sprinklers will be fitted in the coming months. Surveying of the blocks began in the middle of this year and cladding removal is set to start in early 2020.
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