SYFRS believe a lot of 'safety issues' are 'only minor' at local high-rise blocks

Andy Strelczenie from the region's fire service reckons most of the issues discovered recently shouldn't be too difficult to fix

Author: Chris Davis-SmithPublished 10th Jan 2022

It's thought a lot of the safety issues in high rise buildings across South Yorkshire shouldn't be 'too tricky' to fix.

That's despite a recent safety report which found just 1 in 8 high rise blocks across the region to be 'safe'.

The government ordered the checks to be carried out by the end of 2021 following the Grenfell Tower tragedy-a target which was met in South Yorkshire.

Andy Strelczenie from the region's fire service tell us he's pleased they've managed to inspect every building above 18 metres locally:

"These buildings are significant, and it just takes a long time to get around them. It's not like a twenty-minute inspection. In some cases, it's an all-day inspection walking around them and obviously if they areas of action which need fixing then it can take a bit longer.

"It's been a big push from everyone at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service to get these safety checks done to be honest, and I'm proud of everyone who's been involved.

"I think it's important to note that the vast majority of action plans are quite minor and shouldn't take too long to amend.

"Others have more complex issues that need careful management or updates on systems, or in some cases a bit of remedial work."

Notably, just 28 blocks across South Yorkshire were classed as 'satisfactory', whilst 174 others were issued with action plans.

It was also confirmed on Saturday that leaseholders living in buildings under 18 metres high will no longer have to pay for potentially dangerous material to be removed.

A letter from the Treasury to the housing secretary suggests developers will be threatened with a tax or so-called "legal solutions" to make sure they pay up.

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