EXCLUSIVE: Glasgow's Trinity Tower residents 'in limbo' six weeks after evacuation

Residents of Glasgow's Trinity Tower are telling Clyde News of their devastation six weeks after high winds forced them from their homes.

Homes in the Park Circus area near the landmark were evacuated on January 29, after high winds brought by Storm Malik led to fears that the structure could collapse.

The building had been undergoing structural repairs at the time which left it vulnerable to the strong winds.

In response, people living in the area around the Trinity College building - which is believed to date back as far as 1857 - were evacuated and an exclusion zone was set up.

Six weeks on they have still not been allowed to re-enter their homes - not even to collect medication, clothing, essential documents or to check the condition of their houses.

Residents tell us this is taking an emotional, physical and financial toll. With them being given a vague timescale of two to three months for the completions of stabilisation work.

They are also critical of communication from Glasgow City Council and feel that - although the local authority is not responsible for the building - they should be doing more to support them as it was council officers who ordered the evacuation in the first place.

'Our lives are in limbo'

Reginal Clayton, a 52-year old virologist who lives in the building, exclusively told our chief reporter Natalie Crawford-Goodwin:

“On the day following Storm Maalik, which was a Friday evening, which was very severe storms felt around the country, we had a collection of engineers in the lane outside the house and on the Saturday afternoon directly after Storm Malik, we were evacuated with about 15 to 30 minutes notice."

"It was basically enough time to get the cat, some clothes, any documents you might need, and leave the scene."

EXCLUSIVE: Glasgow's Trinity Tower residents 'in limbo' six weeks after evacuation

2 of 5

“That was, of course, very traumatic for people. Many of us have not been back into our homes since that weekend. And it's been very difficult for us."

"Some have had some degree of temporary accommodation, a few nights in a hotel, and the rest of us have had to find semi-permanent accommodation and we don't know for how long in terms of short-term rentals for myself and for our neighbours."

Huge Anxiety

“There's a huge degree of anxiety regarding our houses, the safety of the tower, and when we'll be able to get back into our homes."

"So, there's very little clarity on any of this, from the communications from the council. And right now we feel as though our lives are in limbo, and it's costing us dearly."

"In terms of expenditure on rent and alternative accommodation, especially for people that work from home, and then have to travel for a living and also have their kids at school that many people have had to stay with friends and different parts of the country - it has been a very, very challenging time."

“It's difficult to describe the impact it has. But just put yourself in that situation, you get a knock on the door, you've got 15 to 30 minutes to get out of your house and there's no indication of when you'll be back."

"We're six weeks down the line with still no clear, rational indication of when we’ll be back into our homes. So, it's utterly bewildering that it's got to this stage. And I, when I think about it, I get lost for words."

'A violent disruption'

Reg continued: “It’s actually a violent disruption to be, you know, evacuated within such short notice."

"But then to be faced very shortly after that, with not only paying your mortgage and your existing bills, but paying a second lot of living expenses, which includes you know, rent, which you have to find on the short-term market, which is never cheap. At this time of the year where there's very little availability."

“It's utterly bewildering and it's quite shocking the amount of money that it actually adds up to after six weeks, it's fair to say that we've spent, you know, 1000s of pounds on this, and the response from insurers and Glasgow City Council is that basically you guys are going to have to pay through the nose for it."

"It's nobody's fault. It's not their fault. It's certainly not our fault. But we're faced with this with absolutely no support whatsoever.

“It's absolutely shocking, difficult to understand. We really need some clarity from the people that run our city for us. We want to enjoy this city we all love Glasgow… it’s our home so let's try and get back into our homes.”

'We understand how difficult it is', says Glasgow City Council

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “We have communicated regularly with residents affected by the exclusion zone around this dangerous building, and will continue to do so whenever we have information we can provide an update on (another update was sent to residents today)."

"Information and support is provided to residents who contact the council on a daily basis but unfortunately, while the Trinity Tower is considered a dangerous building (as it currently is) the council is required to protect wider public safety by restricting access to the building."

“We absolutely understand how difficult it is for people to be out of their homes for an extended period and how important it is for them to receive information, and it should be understood that the timescale of 2-3 months was given by the owners’ contractor once they had confirmed the scale and nature of the works they would have to carry out to make the building safe.

"We relayed this information to affected residents, and continue to work with the contractors to ensure people can return home as quickly as possible."

"Residents have absolutely been given (risk-assessed) access to collect essential items, and again it should be noted that more regular visits are not feasible given the great increase in risk that this would entail."

“The condition and maintenance of the Trinity tower is a matter for the owners, and work instructed by them was already underway when our Building Standards team was alerted by their contractors, who were concerned about its condition.”

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.