University of Lincoln students: Around 500 moving over fire safety concerns
Independant fire safety review found areas need to be improved in an apartment block
Last updated 18th Oct 2022
Hundreds of students who live in the Gateway apartment block in Lincoln will now have to leave due to concerns over fire safety.
An independent fire assessment review gave a number of recommendations and found improvements need to be made including to fire stopping and stairwells to 'enhance internal fire compartmentation'.
We're told the work would create substantial disruption to tenants if it were carried out while they were there.
Laura Gray has only lived there for three weeks in the Gateway - she tells us it's a stressful situation.
"We got an email yesterday morning, and they said by the end of next week we will all be moved out no matter what, we're out the building.
"They're going to help us find a new place to live, or we can just cut our contract completely and find our own place to live if we want.
"This is my fourth week here - so it's not very long at all that I've been here".
India Nelson has been in the Gateway for a few years:
"They're moving out the top floors first and then block C, and then everyone is moving out. But right now we don't know where we are going.
"We haven't heard anything since yesterday about it, but they're going to contact us about accommodation options."
The Gateway is leased by the University but owned by a private Landlord, Mapletree. They told us they brought in an external consultant who found none of the issues raised needed a remediation plan, but they say they're continuing to work with the university.
The University of Lincoln says it's relocating all tenants of the Gateway to alternative accommodation in the coming weeks.
It has set up a special support centre so students affected can speak to an advisor and get help and support.