Forum Topic

Tower blocks in Brentford declared unsafe

What have Hounslow Homes been doing all these years?

Colin Murphy ● 6091d22 Comments

That is true.  The officer who sent out the information, while in error, was not to blame: they were very junior and what was at fault was Hounslow Homes method of dealing with FOI enquiries; this one was not checked by a senior staff officer before dispatch.  The system has been ammended.I have been in touch with the BBC from Mark Thompson down to Kurt the reporter: I was at pains to tell them that I was not interested in any sort of blame-game but getting the truth out there so Brentford residents can sleep easy in their beds. So far I have not had a response about how they intend to respond.

Jon Hardy ● 6088d

Are you saying the information the BBC claimed to obtain under a FOI request is incorrect?  Have you contacted the BBC to refute this and show there are actually valid fire risk assessments for all the high rise blocks in Hounslow?Also, have you reprimanded the council officer who gave out this 'misinformation' to a FOI request?

Anya Morris ● 6089d

So presumably the Council is taking the legal action against the BBC then ?.Anyhow no-one did take the bait and take it up as a political issue.I totally agreeing about not believing everything I read, or the ability to selectively report the facts, good example being the report on the front page of W4 (presumably a LBH press release) about illegal advertisements which doesn't mention the same notices were served on the same site back in 2006 and also on 57-59 Kew Bridge Road, before the current administration came into power.

Adam Beamish ● 6089d

"He was also incorrect in reporting that the Towers have no fire risk assessment: THEY DO and Hounslow Homes decided to upgrade them BEFORE the Camberwell fire, long before the BBC story.  There were other factual errors in the transmitted report too."

Jon Hardy ● 6089d

The BBC report did seem to highlight many problems in the Brentford Towers regarding fire safety.What was even more of an eye opener was that none of the 37 high rise blocks in Hounslow Borough had a valid fire risk assessment whereas Camden could product one for each of their 200+ high rise properties.I wouldn't like to be living on the 15th floor(or higher) of any of the Brentford Towers after seeing that BBC report.How do the privately owned blocks - like Holland Gardens, Regatta Point or Paragon match up?  Do they hold valid fire risk assessments?  Is this/should be monitored by Hounslow council too?

Anya Morris ● 6089d

Stephanie,The BBC reported that there was a padlock on a fire escape: that was not true; the door that they were looking at was not a fire escape and the padlock was not on the door anyway.As regards the rest, I would set more stock in the London Fire Brigade's  assessment of fire risk than that of an ambitious journo in search of a story.  He neglected to mention that the surveyor he employed, Mr Tarling  apparently works for BETA Litigation Surveyors.He was also incorrect in reporting that the Towers have no fire risk assessment: they do and Hounslow Homes decided to upgrade them BEFORE the Camberwell fire, long before the BBC story.  There were other factual errors in the transmitted report too.

Jon Hardy ● 6089d

So.. the fact that the fire escapes couldn't be opened is a minor issue..? Also, even if Cornish house is passable, why does that mean none of the other tower blocks in Hounslow should be inspected if 21 out of the 37 of them have allegedly been rated high risk by the council?

Stephanie Kitsune ● 6089d

I do hope that those who have burst into print without first getting a proper briefing from proper fire safety experts will reflect on the distress they may have caused residents in Brentford Towers.Fire safety is too important to be used as a poltical football

Jon Hardy ● 6089d

Late on Tuesday afternoon it was confirmed that, following the BBC report, the Assistant Commissioner from the London Fire Brigade  asked for the local fire service to do an inspection at Cornish House, this was carried out by Martin Green.  The LFB have reported to us this morning that their officer has identified some ‘odds and sods, minor issues’ and that the recommendation to the Assistant Commissioner will be that there is no case for looking at other Hounslow blocks.  The LFB officer was very disparaging about the ‘misleading’ BBC report, they are also running checks on the BBC surveyor.  The LFB report will be with us next week.

Jon Hardy ● 6089d

His mum does not work in the post office in Isleworth. A woman who is virally marketing this campaign works there. So, I ask again, do we give cash for every sick child in Britain, or we do ask our Government to pay for it, by dint of raising taxes?

Colin Murphy ● 6089d

Fran, you're right in that it's your/mine/our choice, but I couldn't see the point in you posting about this on a thread about Brentford tower blocks and fire risks (as though anyone who reads is being badgered to donate) - I know you don't like politics always being brought into things (and often nor do I hence my tongue in cheek original post on this thread) but there must be plenty of kids in those tower blocks who are seemingly at risk.

Adam Beamish ● 6089d

"Who told you he lives in Brentford? Not the site in the post. The NHS (or maybe NICE) has made a clinical decision not to treat him. Are we to be exhorted to give cash for every sick child in Britain?"As it was posted on the Brentford Web site and his Mum works in the post office in Isleworth I did not think they live in Somerset or somewhere?  No, Colin... we are not 'being exhorted to give cash for every sick child in Britain'.  Do you have any children Colin?  I know what it is like to see your child with cancer.  Just give, or don't give... 'your choice'.

Fran Naughton ● 6089d

Who told you he lives in Brentford? Not the site in the post. The NHS (or maybe NICE) has made a clinical decision not to treat him. Are we to be exhorted to give cash for every sick child in Britain?

Colin Murphy ● 6090d

Ah well if it is the planners fault at least the towers are over 30 years before my time as a planner ;-)

Adam Beamish ● 6090d

Come on everyone..Even £1.00p might help to save a little boy's life who lives in Brentford.... those who just keep posting and posting and posting  on the silly posts on this forum... come on!!!!!!!! At this time do we really care about the parking in Eastbourne Road or the Islamic development? FORGET ABOUT POLITICS FOR ONCE ON THIS FORUM and lets do what this forum is about..'THE BRENTFORD COMMUNITY FORUM... GIVE PLEASE?

Fran Naughton ● 6090d

Ok, lets all blame Town Planners instead.

Neil Chippendale ● 6090d

My bet is both.

Colin Murphy ● 6090d

Reading the story on the BBC link that Jim Linwood provided the concerns don't appear to relate to fire doors being left open but more to shoddy/defective work.I wait with baited breath - will the Tory/ICG supporters start usual proceedings by pointing the finger at the years under a Labour administration as the basis for this damning report, or will Robin point the finger at the recent Tory/ICG administration ? ;-)

Adam Beamish ● 6091d

Yes Stephanie.. Cornish is one of the Six Towers on Green Dragon Lane.There are 22/23 floors in each block and there are 4 appartments on each floor..so about 84 residences in each Tower.Grand total some 500 homes.  The staircases are separated from the landings (each landing having 4 front doors) by a fire door..which if left open..and they are.. creates a 200 foot flue should flames or smoke escape into that shaft.

Jim Lawes ● 6091d

that's a very scary list.. Is Cornish House in Hounslow?

Stephanie Kitsune ● 6091d

Oh dear dear!In the thread to do with Brentford's skyscrapers..and amongst all the pictures, I wrote on 13/8/09 at 2.55am the following:""One cause for concern, which you may be able to report to Hounslow Homes or the Fire Brigade (!), was that many Fire Doors (50%)leading to the staircases were jammed open/left open. A notice on each door says it should be closed at all times.I suspect residents on each floor are fed up with the doors slamming..as they do..causing shock wave echoes in the adjacent homes. but Fire Doors are Fire Doors""You'd be surprised who reads these Forums in the media.

Jim Lawes ● 6091d

Full story here:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8290103.stmJL

Jim Linwood ● 6091d