MP Pat in call for tower block safety review
A Black Country MP has called for an urgent review of tower block safety across the region to prevent a repeat of the Grenfell Tower tragedy from happening closer to home.
Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said there was a pressing need to examine safety issues at all tower blocks, with a particular focus on cladding materials, structural concerns and safety advice that has been given to residents.
He has written to Wolverhampton Homes asking for clarification over safety checks on properties in the city and whether extra funding is required to carry out remedial work.
“The whole country has been shocked and distressed by the appalling fire and loss of life at Grenfell Tower in West London," Mr McFadden said.
"This terrible disaster will have raised the concerns of tower block residents throughout the country about the safety of their homes and families.
"There is now an urgent need to review the safety of tower blocks, to examine any materials which have been used for cladding or other repair work, to consider any structural issues and to consider the advice given to residents in the event of fire.
"I have written to Wolverhampton Homes to ask how this is being done locally, though of course it is a question for every landlord or owner of such buildings throughout the country.
"Everything possible must be done to prevent a repeat of what has happened this week.”
In his letter Mr McFadden wrote: "There will of course be formal investigations into what happened at Grenfell Tower and it is right that we are led by the evidence and the facts.
"But while that is happening residents of tower blocks around the country need to know if the buildings in which they are living are safe, and if they are not, what is being done about it."
Wolverhampton Homes says fire safety is a 'top priority' at its 36 tower blocks across the city.
Bosses have pledged to undergo 'urgent checks' with external cladding manufacturers and say that West Midlands Fire Service has not advised of any issues with the firm's properties in the city.
A statement on the Wolverhampton Homes website says: "The current advice in the event of a fire is for tenants to stay put in their flats, as this is the safest way to manage an evacuation.
"The fire service will isolate the fire and then start the rescue of residents. This may be reviewed as a result of today’s incident."
