Removing 'unsafe’ cladding’ from West Midlands homes to prevent 'another Grenfell' remains a challenge

Visiting Professor Mike Leonard, from Birmingham City University (BCU) is working with West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) on it’s new West Midlands Remediation Acceleration Plan.

The initiative aims to fast-track the removal of flammable cladding from residential buildings over 11 metres tall.

And Professor Leonard said it was time to tackle the “cladding crisis” still making life a misery for people in the region.

He said: “It has been eight years since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, yet the challenge of replacing unsafe cladding on medium- and high-rise residential buildings is still in its early stages.

“The fear of another fire, alongside rising insurance costs, waking watch requirements, and the reality of being trapped in homes that have lost value and are difficult to sell, has brought years of misery to residents.

“We look forward to working closely with the WMCA to make the best use of devolved funding-identifying, diagnosing, and intervening where necessary to ensure affected buildings are made safe and comfortable.

“Ending the cladding crisis across the region must now be a priority.”

The plan was unveiled earlier this month at the Building a Safer Future Conference, held at the West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters.

Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands, introduced the initiative, which will ensure residents and key stakeholders are properly engaged in shaping the remediation process.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: “I’ve listened to heartbreaking stories from residents about the impact living in an unsafe building is having on their lives.

“The Grenfell Tower tragedy must always remain in our minds as a stark example of what can happen when safety is not put first.

“That’s why we’ve been working with partner agencies to get the remediation process sped up, so we can ensure nothing like this ever happens again. Everyone deserves a safe home.”

Professor Leonard is also seeking to involve BCU students in the project through placements with the WMCA.

In 2022, he instigated the UK’s first Fire Engineering Degree Apprenticeship, developed in response to recommendations from the Grenfell report.