Relief, anxiety & uncertainty as Barton House residents told to return
Bristol City Council says the tower block evacuated last year is now safe to live in
Last updated 21st Feb 2024
Many residents from Bristol tower block Barton House are waking up this morning feeling anxious and uncertain about their future, after being told by the city council that they can move back in.
The tower block in Barton Hill was suddenly evacuated last year (14 November) when Bristol City Council said minor survey work suggested there were severe structural issues with the building, that could cause it to collapse if there was a fire.
Having been living either in hotels or with friends and family ever since, in January following more extensive survey work the council told residents the building was structurally safe after all and earlier this week, said they could move back in.
Some feel relief at finally being able to go home, however, many others say they are not convinced the block is safe.
Fardus Aisman who lives inside said: "I'm not feeling safe, absolutely.
"I don't want to move back, I don't know what I can do, just stay at my mum's house?
"The council say you have to return (and) if you don't return, you make yourself homeless."
Yousif Ahmed also lives in the block with his young children.
"In one way, we're happy to come back, but in another way, we don't feel safe to stay with the kids," he said.
"Sometimes they say there's some problem with the concrete on the flat and sometimes they say, no, it's safe.
"We absolutely don't feel that it's safe."
Yousif added however that he had his family will be moving back in.
"We have no choice," he said.
Bristol City Council says residents can find many documents via this link that prove the building is safe.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service also say they support the decision to allow residents to return.
A council spokesperson has previously denied telling residents that if they don't move back in, they will be making themselves intentionally homeless.
However, Hits Radio has been sent an audio recording, purportedly of a council housing officer speaking to a resident, in which the officer says residents will indeed be making themselves homeless if they don't move back.
Last week the housing union ACORN which represents many residents in the block, protested in city council buildings including City Hall several times demanding residents be rehoused.
"Despite ACORN’s many attempts at dialogue with the council they have been steadfast in ignoring the varying needs of the residents," a statement from the union reads.
"This is despite plenty of support for the ACORN position that more should be done to safeguard the children made to suffer by the council’s poor planning and lack of care...
"Parents in Barton House now face the reality that to avoid homelessness, they will need to force their traumatised children to return to a block they are deeply afraid of."
We have contacted the city council for comment.