Council and democracy

Marston Way update

This is expected to allow construction work to begin in the autumn with the job taking nine months to complete.

Although a shorter timescale was preferred, any squeeze on builders would have resulted in higher costs, which would not have been acceptable to the council's insurers who will be paying the bill.

Planning permission is being sought simultaneously to minimise delay.

Meanwhile, fire resistance improvement work is continuing at another of the Marston Way blocks. This includes capping the top-of-wall cavities within the roof space where fire separation walls are also being built. In addition, contractors will be going into all individual flats to fire-proof flues, pipes, vents and electrical sockets penetrating external walls and providing extra protection to window reveals. These measures will ensure it is no longer possible for fire to get into the cavity and spread through it.

When the trial work is finished and fully costed a similar approach will be taken with the remaining blocks on the estate and also to eight comparable blocks on the Tollgate estate in Ashburton. This work will be funded largely from the council's repairs and improvement budget.

Residents on the Upper Norwood estate have been kept up-to-date with progress on the rebuilding and improvements ever since the fire occurred.

Said cabinet member for housing, Councillor Dudley Mead: "I am disappointed that we won't be able to rebuild the block within 12 months as I would have liked. But there is a significant risk of the costs escalating and not being met by insurance if we press for a speedy conclusion.

"In the meantime, I am pleased that the recommended fire resistance improvements appear to be going well. Once these works are completed and definitive costs established we can programme how to undertake the same kind of approach at other council blocks built in more or less the same way.

"It's important not to forget that the Fire Brigade report confirms that the fire had been started in a bedroom by a child playing with matches. The safety of tenants and occupiers is a prime consideration for the council. But it's virtually impossible to eliminate this kind of risk. As always though, unexpected incidents provide an opportunity to learn lessons. The Marston Way fire has enabled us to seek out all properties originally built to dated construction standards and to upgrade precautions. 

"As a consequence of the fire, many more tenants will be a lot safer should anyone be so stupid as to play with matches again in future."