The inhabitants of Barton House, the tower block in Bristol that was promptly evacuated a month ago due to safety worries, have been informed that the issues are not as serious as initially believed. They will be permitted to return to their homes, but not until the beginning of the new year.
In November, approximately 400 tenants were unexpectedly required to vacate the premises after a survey revealed a significant danger to the structural integrity of the building in the case of a fire, explosion, or major impact.
After a month, the city council has stated that the issues are not as serious as initially believed and individuals will eventually be allowed to go back. However, the council is unable to provide a specific timeline.
According to a statement from the council, further surveys were conducted on the 65-year-old building. The initial findings suggest that the concerns raised by previous surveys are not present throughout the entire structure, as previously feared. This means that residents will be able to return to their homes.
New surveys have been conducted on the building, going deeper and more extensively than previous ones. The results show that the safety measures designed for the building do exist and are located where surveyors would anticipate them to be.
While the initial findings suggest that the block is safe, there are necessary measures that must be taken to ensure the safety of Barton House. The exact scope of work needed has not yet been determined, as officers are still awaiting a final report from contractors. This report will provide recommendations for securing the building at a level that ensures residents’ safety before they are able to return. It is probable that a new communal fire alarm system will need to be installed, which is projected to take approximately two months.
Mayor Marvin Rees of Bristol stated that there is currently no confirmed date for residents to return, but it is known that it will not be safe for them to do so before Christmas and the start of the new year.
The current evidence suggests that the safety measures implemented in the block are effective. This was previously uncertain. While this is reassuring for the building’s overall stability, further steps are needed to ensure the safety of its residents.
Residents have been informed of the importance of conducting legionella testing in the water systems of unoccupied apartments within the last month. Signs have been displayed throughout the building to raise awareness of the potential danger of legionella in the water supply.
A large number of inhabitants are currently lodging at a Holiday Inn, where the accommodations have been described as confined and unpleasant.
Acorn community union members stated that fearful residents should be relocated to new housing at or below their current rent. They requested that the rooms of Holiday Inn residents be cleaned a minimum of three times per week and that the food provided meets all dietary requirements. Additionally, they urged staff to treat all residents with equal care and attention as they would any other guest.
Source: theguardian.com
