Salford and Eccles MP, Rebecca Long-Bailey, has written to concerned residents about fire safety demanding immediate action from Government, which includes the "urgent" publication of test results "to ensure public safety immediately", despite assurances from housing providers.
"I have been made aware this week that many blocks do not have cladding similar to that used at Grenfell but that some blocks are clad with an aluminium polyurethane composite" she writes "I understand that they may differ from that used at Grenfell and I have been assured of tenant safety in these blocks by housing providers and that the materials are being assessed urgently.
"All the same, I want total assurance of safety on the materials used immediately so I have written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government requiring an immediate and robust response" she adds "I have also demanded assurances of immediate funding to carry out any necessary works to remediate once the assessments are complete plus funding to support or re-house residents whilst that is carried out."
The Salford Star has information about three blocks in the city, where, despite assurances from the housing provider and manufacturer, materials used in cladding carry warnings to "Avoid temperatures above 200°C...Exposed heat, flames and/or sparks"... We are not publishing more details until the results of testing in all blocks has been shared, as Salford Council has promised.
The full letter from Rebecca Long- Bailey reads...
Salford and Eccles Fire Safety Update:
"Many residents have been getting in touch with me directly following the horrific fire at Grenfell but I am worried there may be many others who still need to raise issues with housing providers or need reassurance so if you can direct people to Rebecca.longbailey.mp@parliament.uk or 0161 425 3738 that would be lovely thanks.
My priority in Salford and Eccles over the last week has been to immediately ensure that those living in high-rise residential buildings are safe, and there are urgent checks being done across the city by the fire authority, council and housing associations.
Salford as a Local Authority area has confirmed that the number of high rise blocks owned by Housing Association Partners is in the region of 43.
I have been liaising closely with both the Local Authority and Housing Associations over the last week to ensure that urgent fire safety checks are being carried out at all blocks, that residents are being informed and reassured and that a full and urgent assessment of the materials used on the exterior cladding of buildings as well as materials within is carried out. I am assured that this is currently being carried out across the city.
I am also ensuring that any direct fire safety queries from residents are being picked up urgently by the relevant Housing Provider so please do urgently send me any other specific issues or concerns you may be aware of so that I can make sure they are dealt with.
In terms of the latest updates, a Greater Manchester Task Force of Housing providers, local authorities and the fire authority has now been set up to monitor fire safety checks across the whole of Greater Manchester and I also understand that whilst testing is being carried out in Salford and Eccles, a 24 hour visual guard response is being implemented at all blocks that may be at risk to ensure regular checks are being carried out on all floors, both to reassure residents and to ensure safety until the results of such assessments are clear. I am assured that checks will be frequent at least one every hour and where there is a security guard on site they will check all floors regularly.
In addition to what is being done in Salford and Eccles, the Government has also asked all housing providers to assess cladding and fire safety in all blocks urgently and to provide that information to Government. It is my view that Ministers should publish these results to reassure residents urgently and to make directions to ensure public safety immediately.
I am still awaiting the full assessments from Housing Providers but whilst tests are carried out I have been made aware this week that many blocks do not have cladding similar to that used at Grenfell but that some blocks are clad with an aluminium polyurethane composite.
I understand that they may differ from that used at Grenfell and I have been assured of tenant safety in these blocks by housing providers and that the materials are being assessed urgently.
All the same, I want total assurance of safety on the materials used immediately so I have written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government requiring an immediate and robust response. I have also demanded assurances of immediate funding to carry out any necessary works to remediate once the assessments are complete plus funding to support or rehouse residents whilst that is carried out.
Labour supports a public inquiry to get to the bottom of how the horrific Grenfell disaster happened, and to hold those responsible to account, but we cannot wait months or years for a report.
Ministers need not wait on the findings of any new inquiry to act. Coroners' reports sent to the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2013 provide clear recommendations for improving the safety in high–rise residential blocks, important parts of which were ignored or rejected by Ministers.
This includes the retrofitting of sprinklers into high-rise blocks and overhauling building regulations as Conservative Ministers promised to do in 2013, but have still not done. Ministers should now act immediately on these recommendations which they have had for four years.
In my letter I have demanded that the Government to take immediate action now to direct the retrofitting of sprinklers and to provide the funding for Housing Providers in Salford to carry out immediate works to retrofit.
Thanks and do please let me know if you are aware of anyone who might need help or reassurance."
For a background see previous Salford Star articles...
Salford Council Tests Aluminium Composite Material in Cladding, as Trade Unions Slam School Fire Safety – click here
ACM Cladding Used in Pendleton Tower Blocks – click here
Recent Pendleton High Rise Fire Highlights Inadequacies – click here
Salford Tower Block Fire Risks Ignored By Salix Homes For Five Years – click here
Pendleton Together Promises Independent Review of Refurbishment Work – click here
Photo by Séamus Martin
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