Initial ARUP report is released for Ledbury Estate
ARUP alongside Southwark Council released the initial technical report on their investigations into the four Ledbury Estate tower blocks. Southwark (following recommendations from Independent experts brought in by residents) were urged to assess whether or not the four Ledbury Estate tower blocks could withstand a gas explosion, or if they were likely to collapse in the event of any such explosion. ARUP engineers were employed by Southwark to carry out these tests and conclud
New report urges Mayor Sadiq Khan to order construction of more pre-fab homes
The London Assembly planning committee have produced a report proposing the building of new 'Off Site Construction' prefabricated new homes to meet the London housing shortage. They are urging mayor Sadiq Khan to extend his powers to kick start '21st century housing revolution'. Read the full article here: https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london-assembly/london-assembly-publications/designed-sealed-delivered
Dame Judith Hackett says Ledbury Estate residents 'right to be worried'
The new chair of the Building Regulations and Fire Safety Inquiry Dame Judith Hackett has appeared on BBC News to discuss the ongoing investigations into Grenfell and the wider implications on tower blocks around the country. She describes it as 'inevitable' that systematic failings will be discovered and goes on to say the residents living in towers blocks such as those at the Ledbury Estate are right to be worried. She has told the BBC that new recommendations will be made
Southwark Lib Dems Extraordinary Council Assembly meeting proposal rejected
The Southwark Liberal Democrats appealed to the Mayor of Southwark to call an Extraordinary Full Council Assembly Meeting for early September to discuss the ongoing Ledbury Estate crisis with the full panel of 64 Southwark Councillors. Their proposal was rejected. Instead, it was suggested that the Ledbury situation could be discussed at the next Overivew & Scrutiny Committee meeting in mid-September. See the article by the Lib Dems on this issue here
Gerri Scott resigns
On Friday 25th August 2017, Gerri Scott; Strategic Director for Housing and Modernisation at Southwark Council resigned from her position, she will be serving out her notice period and leaving at the end of the year. Read the article by Southwark News on this here: Gerri Scott's resignation
Southwark Council bosses meet with Ledbury Estate residents
On Wednesday 23rd August 2017, after many requests - Southwark Council finally called a meeting for residents of the Ledbury Estate tower blocks to give them an update on the crisis situation and answer residents questions. In attendance from Southwark Council were: Eleanor Kelly (CEO) Peter John (Leader of Southwark Council) Cllr. Stephanie Cryan (Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Housing) Gerri Scott (Strategic Director of Housing & Modernisation) Dave Markham (Asset Manag
Southwark Council & Anthony Gold Solicitors Respond to Ledbury Residents Demands
In response to the demands put forward by the Ledbury Estate residents at the previous residents meeting. Southwark Council send their official response. Additionally Anthony Gold Solicitors (acting on behalf of residents) give their legal advice relating to the demands.
Ledbury Action Group call another emergency meeting for residents
Following the gas being switched off on the Ledbury Estate, and the discovery that the towers had been unsafe for many years the Ledbury Action Group requested that Southwark Council call an emergency meeting for residents, to give them answers. We were told that the Cabinet Member for Housing Stephanie Cryan and the Director of Housing Gerri Scott were both now on annual leave and so could not attend a meeting. We requested an urgent meeting anyway but were told that they di
MP Harriet Harman visits Ledbury Estate during gas crisis
The day after residents received letters informing them that the gas was going to be switched off and that they would need to decant in the coming weeks and months, the estate was a hive of activity with media and press onsite doing live news reports, interviewing residents and seeking answers from Southwarks Press Office on behalf of the residents, as to why these potentially deadly issues were not picked up on sooner. ARUP's recommendation to Southwark Council to remove the
Gas is switched off at Ledbury Estate, residents told they must decant in coming weeks and months.
In the late afternoon of 10th August, Ledbury Estate residents received a hand-delivered letter from Southwark Council informing them that the gas was to be switched off immediately and that the council would be decanting temporarily over the coming weeks and months. Residents were shocked to discover that gas was indeed found to be unsafe. Especially after ARUP's presentation at the residents meeting on 11th July and the multiple assurances from Southwark Council that gas WA
