Member Article

Safety improvements at Lewisham tower blocks

Work to install new cladding to three tower blocks in Lewisham has begun three weeks ahead of schedule.

The cladding design, chosen by residents to be natural red with a platinum grey border, will bring enhanced safety and a new striking look to the towers.

Initial work includes covering the building in Tyvek FireCurb and will be followed by aluminium rails, rock and wall insulation with fire breaks and then the new tiles.

Tommy Nightingale, Divisional Manager at United Living South, said: “We are extremely happy to see the installation of the new cladding system begin at Hatfield Close and Gerrard House. We have worked tirelessly since being appointed, back in August 2017, and the beginning of phase three is a key milestone for us all. As well as this, various fire safety improvements to the blocks have also been completed and this is the final stage of making the building a safer environment for residents.”

Fire safety improvements that are now in place for all blocks include a new automatic opening vent (AOV) system, new roofing, sprinkler systems, new bathroom windows and structural enhancement. Over the next stage of the project as the new cladding is applied, new kitchens and bathrooms are also being fitted to bring further boosts to resident experience.

In June, United Living merged with the Fastflow Group, hugely broadening the business’ maintenance and development capability. The two organisations are better equipped to meet the ever-increasing UK demand for new and well-maintained housing and are now able to offer a complete property asset management package.

Land sourcing, planning, new housing, refurbishment, regeneration, planned and responsive maintenance. Additionally, the utilities businesses can connect the water, gas and power infrastructure required to support new developments.

The enlarged group employs over 1,100 people and turns over more than £400 million. In 2018 it delivered 1,263 new homes, completed 29,895 planned maintenance jobs and responded to 47,100 short notice repair calls.

In addition, water management is provided across networks in North East England and Scotland, supplying almost three million customers, whilst specialist diversion, repair and maintenance projects are delivered on the UK high pressure gas transmission networks.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .