Barton House residents refuse to leave building as police arrive

Residents from Barton House rushed to return to their homes on Friday morning after rumours circulated that their belongings were being removed from flats without their permission.

During a protest at City Hall by Barton House residents, organised by housing union, Acorn, rumours began circulating that council staff were removing belongings from residents’ homes. But this was swiftly refuted by Bristol City Council.

Angry and confused residents quickly headed back to Barton Hill, and attempted to get into the council office in the building, which was locked with council staff still inside.

Chants of “justice for Barton House” and “we demand answers” were shouted by residents as some banged their fists on the door of the council office.

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Read more: Hundreds of residents evacuated from Bristol’s oldest tower block

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Police arrived at the scene shortly after 11am, and spoke with residents, who refused to leave the building until they were able to speak with councillors.

Green councillors Yassin Mohamud, Heather Mack, Barry Parsons, Jenny Bartle, Lorraine Francis and Lisa Stone met with residents.

https://twitter.com/miavinesbooth/status/1725482478939328620

An email sent by the council to Barton House residents at around midday said: “We understand rumours are circulating that officers are removing possessions from flats.

“To clarify, we are speaking to three tenants about the need to empty their properties to conduct the new surveys on the building structure that we have talked about in previous updates.

“Those three households have kindly agreed to have their possessions put safely into storage and this will begin shortly. No possessions will be removed from other flats.

“If any further surveys are needed in other flats, we will contact the tenants and ask for permission.”

A Barton House resident bangs on the locked door of a council office in the tower block with council staff inside – photo: Mia Vines Booth

The events come after 400 residents were evacuated from the building on Tuesday evening after a building survey found that “in the event of a fire, explosion or large impact, there is a risk to the structure of the block”.

Many are now staying in temporary accommodation, including hotels, and have no idea when or if they will be able to return to their homes.

Some residents of the city’s oldest council tower block claim that the council have offered little to no communication since they have been evacuated, and have also criticised their living conditions.

One woman told Bristol24/7 she was having to wash her baby’s feeding bottles with toilet water. Another woman said she had a son with severe autism who was not able to eat the limited range of food being provided.

Some of the residents of Barton House do not speak English, or speak it as a second language, and have said they have not received communication in their own language.

A protest was held at City Hall on Friday morning, where residents spoke about their experiences and demanded cabinet members and Marvin Rees – who is currently at a conference in Rwanda – speak with them.

Main photo: Mia Vines Booth

Read next:

• Barton House residents protest in City Hall
• Barton House residents in ‘state of shock, panic and disbelief’
• ‘Barton House evacuation highlights Barton Hill’s inequalities’

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