Residents at flood-hit Ipswich tower block face six more months out of their homes
St Francis Tower was evacuated in July after major flooding
Last updated 25th Sep 2023
Residents of a flood-hit Ipswich tower block have been told they face an additional six months out of their homes as cleanup work is taking long than expected.
People living in St Francis Tower were evacuated from their homes earlier this year after pipework was vandalised and have been in temporary accomondation since.
The 17 storey block, one of the tallest buildings in Ipswich, has been wrapped in plastic for several years due to issues with cladding on the side of the building.
In an email sent to residents last week, seen by Greatest Hits Radio, building managers at Block Management UK say it will be 'several weeks at best' before the 8th floor and above can be re-occupied.
Residents on the 7th floor and below have been told it will be 'around six months' before repairs are completed 'with the sheer number of flats requiring works let along the damage to communal areas'.
During checks of the pipework an additional 60 leaks have been discovered, which will cost in the region of ÂŁ40,000 to repair.
Damage to the lifts is still being assessed, while ongoing work to replace the cladding on the side of the building has been delayed by between 10 and 12 weeks.
Earlier this year Ross Bonner, who owns the leasehold on four flats in St Francis Tower, told Greatest Hits Radio:
"It's caused a ridiculous amount of stress, it's not just stress for your business and keeping yourself above water... I've got sympathy for my tenants."
"People are deserving of simple living conditions".