Barton House: Residents able to move back in by March, Council says
Bristol City Council says initial fears over the structural integrity of the building, were unfounded
Residents of a Bristol tower block evacuated last year over safety fears have been told they should be allowed back in, by March.
Hundreds of people were forced to leave Barton House on 14 November after survey work on three flats suggested there were structural issues with the building, that were so severe a fire could cause it to collapse.
Since then most residents have been living in hotels or staying with friends and family, while further survey work was carried out on the block.
Updating on their efforts this morning, bosses at Bristol City Council said the structural issues initially feared are not actually present and so the building is fundamentally safe.
They do however want to install a fire alarm which has not previously existed in the building and add some fire proofing, meaning residents should be able to move back in on or by 23 February.
In a statement published on Bristol City Council's website Marvin Rees, the Mayor of Bristol, said: “Since our meeting with residents in December, we have been busy working with engineers to establish the extent of the works needed at Barton House to make it safe for residents to return.
"Those actions are now agreed.
"We shared the planned approach with Avon Fire and Rescue Service who confirmed that this work is needed before residents can return safely.
"There are contractors in place, either carrying out these works already or prepared to begin immediately, as we continue to move at pace to make the block safe."
Speaking to Hits Radio afterwards though, some suggested they do not feel reassured.
Chantelle said: "You can tell us it's as safe as possible but what you've (the council) done has already traumatised people.
"You can't undo that damage you've done to rip people out of their homes...and they expect people to just go back into it.
"They don't seem to comprehend the damage they've done to people.
My kids are traumatised."
Fatima is another resident but also a member of the Housing Union ACORN.
She said: "We don't feel safe at all.
"We asked the Mayor to grade the building; is it red, green, amber, yellow, and he completely refused that.
"We want them to grade the building, how safe is it?"
Dozens of residents in the block have reportedly asked the City Council if they can be rehomed rather than move back in.
"I done a list, I've got 42 flats, there's 98 in the whole building so I've got almost half of the flats...all of them do not want to go back to that building," Fatima said.
"The children do not feel safe going back in there."
Not everyone shares that view however.
Jon Wisbey who is a member of the Barton House Tenants Association told us: "I'm more than comfortable going back in.
"It's my home.
"I've been there 23 years (and) it hasn't collapsed on me yet.
"I can't see it collapsing on me in the future."
What exactly was feared?
Revealing more details today, the City Council says the initial surveys done in November suggested there were two issues.
Firstly, it appeared some structural ties connecting the floors to the walls were missing, while secondly, concrete cover that is supposed to protect the building's steel reinforcement, seemed to be too thin.
Had that been true, it would have meant the block was not built to standard and that a fire could have caused it to collapse.
However, having evacuated the building to ensure the safety of residents while engineers conducted further work, the council now says both of those fears have been disproved.
"Officers explained during the meeting that the structural ties, metal bars that run through the concrete floors and walls of Barton House, had now been identified as being in place and in good order," a statement shared by the council reads.
"Likewise, further investigation of the concrete cover that provides vital protection for the building’s metal structure found the thickness to be generally good throughout the building."
Why can't residents move back in immediately?
Despite now saying the building is structurally sound, the City Council says it wants to install a central fire alarm and additional fire proofing in certain places, to protect the building's metal structure even further, before letting people move back in.
Additionally, with many of the flats having been empty for months, there is a risk that legionella bacteria may have developed in the water system.
That needs to be tested.
"We remain grateful to all Barton House residents for continuing to support our efforts and allowing us the opportunity to carry out these essential works, and to everyone who is continuing to support affected tenants," the Mayor's written statement continues.
Marvin Rees declined our request for an interview.