RESIDENTS at one of Leamington’s oldest tower blocks have given the thumbs up to improvements made in the wake of the Grenfell fire tragedy.
The safety work at Radcliffe Gardens off Brunswick Street was completed last summer and was the first stage in a £2.5million transformation of the nine high rise blocks owned and managed by Warwick District Council.
New fire safety features included new 60 minute fire-resistant doors for every flat, communal doors and screens to further increase protection, smoke venting to the stairwells, sprinkler systems in the bin stores, and upgraded emergency lighting and signs.
The work also included sealing off cabling to avoid any difficulty during a fire, and gaps were filled to prevent the spread of any fire and smoke.
The project has also improved the look and feel of the building with the modernising of communal areas, new flooring, decoration and lighting.
Management of the buildings has been stepped up with daily checks by officers to ensure safety standards are met.
And work has now also been completed outside with new footpaths, walkways and flower beds.
George Dunkley, who has lived in Radcliffe Gardens since 1974, said: “The whole building feels brighter and fresher and the signage is much better too.”
Mavis McColl, who moved into her flat in 1995, added: “The improvements made have made me feel more secure and I am happier to invite people round.”
The work was part of Warwick District Council’s £2.5million fire safety improvements following the Grenfell tragedy in June 2017.
The on-going project, paid for from council reserves, will see improvements carried out at all nine council-owned ‘high rise’ blocks of six storeys or more. work is expected to completed on all by the autumn.
District housing spokesman Coun Peter Phillips said: “‘I am very pleased with the rejuvenation of Radcliffe Gardens and even more heartened that the residents are happy with the great improvements we have made.
” Following the tragedy of the Grenfell fire we wanted to ensure that the highest of safety standards were implemented and at the same time bring our high-rise homes into line with some of the best available in the private sector. This programme of work has delivered on both fronts.”
