Council staff are working on the Chalcots job 24/7

Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council, said:

“Many Camden Council staff are now working on the Chalcots Estate Operation. This means thousands of people, across a huge range of professions, trades and disciplines, working on a 24-hour shift system to get the job done as quickly as possible for our residents.

“We have a large specialist team working on the estate and so far they’ve installed new fire boarding and upgraded entrance doors on the advice of the London Fire Brigade who are also working on site with us.

“We already have fire doors in all corridors and throughout the estates, but we have ordered new front doors for flats in case any residents need their door upgraded. We will also be working in stairwells and communal areas to make sure these areas are safe and re-insulating some pipes as well. It is our aim to complete this work within two to four weeks but I want to residents to know that everyone involved is working as hard as they possibly can to complete as quickly as possible.

“Whilst this work is ongoing we have been helping residents into hotels and other accommodation that suits their personal circumstances. We currently have over 360 people in hotels and we are constantly making new accommodation available.

“We are working hard with our most vulnerable residents to identify suitable accommodation. For our older residents we have found sheltered housing that will be suitable and we are in the process of moving people, making sure that the properties are furnished and comfortable. Overall so far we are making a 100 council homes available for temporary housing during this emergency situation. We are working hard to get more properties available for immediate occupation.

“We are keeping in regular contact with residents while we complete these works and I know how hugely disruptive and worrying this has been for them. My number one priority is to make sure the estate is safe so that residents can get back home. The Council is carrying out its biggest ever emergency operation, working around the clock to make sure this happens very soon.”

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