News / Barton House
Barton House residents told when they will finally be able to return home
Hundreds of people who have been displaced from their homes since November have been given a date for when they can hopefully return to Barton House.
Bristol City Council has confirmed the residents, who have had to stay in hotels or with friends and family, should be able to move back into the city’s oldest tower block by February 23 – more than three months since an emergency evacuation of the building.
Those affected gathered at City Hall for a meeting with the mayor, engineers and fire service and council representatives on Wednesday morning to be told that essential works are being carried out to ensure the block is safe for people to return.
is needed now More than ever
One resident, Shaban Ali, was unable to attend the meeting as he is one of four Acorn Bristol members banned from City Hall following a meeting in December, when protesters confronted the mayor.
The latest news follows the sudden evacuation of Barton House on November 14 after “serious structural issues” were discovered in the building just off Marsh Lane in Barton Hill that was built in 1958.
The main areas of work being undertaken include the installation of a central fire alarm system and extra fireproofing in parts of the building. Water testing is also being carried out in unoccupied flats to check for legionnaire bacteria.
Mayor Marvin Rees told residents there is now “a high level of confidence that the structure of Barton House is safer than thought back in November”, but has warned it is not yet safe for them to return.
A number of residents say they have been traumatised by the whole experience and do not want to return to their home, which “no longer feels safe” and to do so would threaten their mental health.
A letter seen by Bristol24/7 has been signed by some 40 residents. It details the impact of the evacuation, saying: “Many of us are now stressed, struggling to sleep and fear returning to Barton House.”
The letter – titled compensation and rehousing for Barton House residents – continues: “Evacuated residents were left in the dark with minimal support and no idea what the long term plan was. People are unable to work, have no facilities and have been torn away from their communities.”
They are calling for those residents who don’t want to return to Barton House to be prioritised for rehousing. The letter also demands rent and utility bills since the evacuation be refunded until people are rehoused, compensation and mental health support and an independent investigation into the Barton Hill tower block crisis and the safety of others around the city.
Rees said the planned works have been agreed with Avon Fire & Rescue service and contractors are now in place or getting underway imminently to “move at pace to make the block safe”, with residents of individual flats being approached for permission to carry out work in their homes.
“We are now in a place where we can have a high level of confidence that the structure of Barton House is safer than we thought back in November, but not yet safe for residents to return,” said the mayor.
“This confidence comes from the detailed further work carried out by engineers to survey the block across a number of key locations and the findings of those investigations. These results will be published once we have the final report and can be assured that we have taken all reasonable steps to make the block safe.
“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.”
Mayor Marvin Rees told residents there is now “a high level of confidence that the structure of Barton House is safer than thought back in November”, but has warned it is not yet safe for them to return – photo: Ellie Pipe
Residents were told on Wednesday the two main safety concerns identified during initial surveys reported on in November included:
- Some structural ties connecting the floors and the walls were potentially missing.
- Concrete cover that protects the building’s metal reinforcement may have been too thin.
The council says structural ties – metal bars that run through the concrete floors and walls of Barton House – have now been identified as being in place and in good order.
Officers also confirmed that further investigation of the concrete cover found the thickness to be generally good throughout the building. Where the cover is at its thinnest, engineers found a layer of blockwork or cement in place, adding additional protection.
The council also stated engineers identified a third safety measure, steel sections in key locations, that provide vital support for the structure in the event of a fire or explosion. Officers have opted to install new, additional fire proofing onto these steel beams to boost the protection for the metalwork.
Final survey reports are yet to be received, with the council saying these will be shared once published.
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
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