What on earth is going on in Pendleton with compounds surrounding Thorn Court and Spruce Court? Residents have lived with dangerous cladding surrounding their homes for three years since the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy exposed lethal materials on nine blocks owned by Salford City Council and managed by Pendleton Together.
Now, finally, the cladding is being removed from Spruce Court and Thorn Court but the blue compound at the base of blocks used to shield the scaffolding is built from Reynobond panelling which appears to be flammable as it has a black core (A3) as opposed to a grey core (A2) which is less dangerous.
The Salford Star has seen a video of a sample of the panel burning within seconds of it being set alight (see photos). The compound built from the panelling surrounds both blocks and even surrounds the fire exit from Spruce Court (see photo).
The Salford Star contacted Pendleton Together with this information a week ago, asking for a comment. Given the seriousness of the allegation, one might have expected an instant response, either refuting the story or apologising to residents who have been living with enough fear over the last three years...
...But Pendleton Together did not respond at all. Instead, the interior of the compound panels have either been changed or stripped of identifying marks (see photo).
Yesterday, Salford Council put out a press release (not sent to the Star), stating that funding plans to fully complete fire safety works on the blocks have been arranged. It quoted Tom Miskell, Chair of Pendleton Together Operating Ltd, or PTOL, saying: "We're delighted that our plans have now been approved and work has already started on works to remove the cladding.
"Contractors have continued to work safely during the recent restrictions and they are on schedule to have all the cladding removed before the end of the year" he added "We're aware that this has been a troubling time for residents and we're pleased that the important work can progress..."
* Following the previous Salford Star article concerning residents complaining about windows not being allowed to be 'tilted' or opened on the blocks while cladding is being removed, despite high temperatures and lockdown shielding tenants, Pendleton Together later relented and windows can now be titled.
For a background see previous article – click here
.jpg)
.jpg)
.bmp)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(3).jpeg)
.png)
(1).JPG)
