ao link
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In

You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles

Haringey residents to be evacuated after ‘structural defects’ found in large panel blocks

Residents are set to be evacuated from a council block in Tottenham following the discovery of structural defects.

Linked InTwitterFacebookeCard
The Broadwater Farm estate in north London (picture: Google)
The Broadwater Farm estate in north London (picture: Google)
Sharelines

Large panel blocks are to be evacuated in Haringey, north London, due to “structural defects” #ukhousing

Tangmere block, like the other high-rise blocks on the Broadwater Farm estate, was built using a large panel system – the same kind of construction as Ronan Point, which partially collapsed 50 years ago, killing four people.

Recent tests have revealed “structural defects”, Haringey Council said, in Tangmere and Northolt blocks. Residents of Tangmere, the smaller block with seven storeys, are to be evacuated.

These and other high-rise blocks on the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham have been a source of concern since last year, when the council began removing gas cookers from nine blocks on the estate due to fears of collapse.


READ MORE

Ronan Point 50 years on: the dangers of large panel system constructionRonan Point 50 years on: the dangers of large panel system construction
The Ledbury Estate building safety scare - what happened next?The Ledbury Estate building safety scare - what happened next?
The tower blocks that time forgotThe tower blocks that time forgot

All the buildings on the estate were built using a large panel system, but it was initially thought that only the nine seven-storey blocks on the estate were dangerous as the two larger blocks did not have gas heating systems.

There are now several large panel blocks across the country that are being evacuated because of safety concerns over their structure.

Large panel system blocks are thought to be unsafe when they have gas heating systems installed, and the Ledbury Estate in Southwark recently had its entire heating system replaced after residents were evacuated.

While the council decided residents were safe to stay in the other seven-storey blocks, tests on Tangmere found that it would not be safe if bottled gas or an oxygen cylinder exploded, or if a vehicle collided with the building.

This led the council to decide on evacuation for Tangmere residents. The cabinet will decide on a rehousing scheme for the residents next Tuesday and will decide later whether to demolish or strengthen both blocks.

Despite Northolt block not having a gas heating system, it was still found to be unsafe for bottled gas, oxygen cylinders or a vehicle collision.

Residents of Northolt are not being evacuated, but the council has brought in a “concierge service” to ensure that no oxygen cylinders or bottles of gas are brought into the building.

Emina Ibrahim, cabinet member for housing at the council, said: “Throughout all the work that has been done on the estate in recent months, Homes for Haringey and the council have engaged with residents and the residents’ association to ensure that everybody understands the steps that have been taken, and we will ensure that those conversations continue.

“A decision on the long-term future of these blocks will only be taken following proper consultation with residents.”

Linked InTwitterFacebookeCard
Add New Comment
You must be logged in to comment.