The latest news and updates from the Chalcots Estate – w/c 27 November 2017

Friday 1 December 2017 - The latest news and updates from the Chalcots Estate

Information going to cabinet members of 6 December

A report including updates regarding the cladding removal and replacement will go to cabinet members on Wednesday 6 December. This report contains an outline of the current progress in removal works, short summaries of the replacement options (including resident feedback) and brief detail about subsequent planning process. The December report is available for you to look at online, you can find the relevant Chalcots pages at camden.gov.uk/decemberchalcotsreport

This is not the report that will inform cabinet member’s final decision on which cladding option to use. That report will be going to cabinet on Wednesday 24 January.

Latest update on completion of cladding removal

Blashford – Saturday 9 December 2017
​Burnham & Bray – Saturday 16 December 2017
Dorney – Friday 22 December 2017
Taplow – Saturday 13 January 2018

To ensure the health and safety of both residents and contractors, these completion dates are subject to safe weather conditions. We will keep you updated of any change.

Current works

Your new front door meets both the FD60 and ‘secure by design’ standard. In order to provide this level of protection, the new door must be thicker and therefore heavier than a regular door. We have been meeting with our vulnerable residents to assess any accessibility issues and provide assistance where needed. If you, or someone in your home, has a disability or mobility issue that requires assistance opening your door, please call the Chalcots Works Coordinator on 020 7974 5539.

If you notice any snagging issues on communal doors, or need to make an appointment to have your new front door fitted, please contact your Resident Liaison Officer:

Taplow and Bray – Hayley Townsend – 07702 970354
Burnham and Blashford – Angela Carr – 07590 170332
Dorney – Sue Speller – 07939 158509

Independent Review

Marian Harrington has been named as the chair of the Chalcots independent review. She said, “I am looking forward to working with residents, Camden Council and their wider partners to learn lessons from the Chalcots evacuation and the circumstances around this, which I am sure will be useful to councils across the country in future. I am determined to ensure the voice of residents is at the forefront of the review – and look forward to getting this process underway.”

Other news

We are now inviting all blue badge holders with an underground parking space back to the carparks beneath Bray and Taplow. We will be contacting all other residents with an underground parking space over the next week to advise their imminent return. However, around 20 vehicle owners will have to remain using on street parking. Where possible we have tried to prioritise those with the most need to return to the carparks first.

On Wednesday, Camden met with Kier to find a solution to bin access issues caused by the placement of a large skip on the ramp by Taplow. Kier agreed that they would temporarily remove the gate and the posts from the access ramp, thereby creating sufficient space for bin access by both residents and bin lorries.

We remind residents that there are quiet spaces available in the Adelaide Room at Swiss Cottage Library for people who work from home. The room is available 10am to 8pm, Monday to Thursday and 10am to 5pm Friday and Saturday.

Feedback from TRA technical meeting, Wednesday 29 November 2017, present Taplow, Burnham, Bray and Dorney

The TRA group queried whether the quality of the installation of new front doors had improved. The meeting between the door manufacturers and some of the TRA reps was discussed. Council officers confirmed that the manufacturer had briefed each contractor how to properly adjust the door, but the TRA felt this had not filtered down to the door fitting teams. Council officers agreed to contact the contractors to make sure their door fitting teams had been shown how to adjust the doors properly. There was also a question as to the effectiveness of the sign off process. Council officers agreed to look at the quality assurance process and bring back their findings at the next meeting.

It was confirmed that all potentially faulty barrels in the door locks would be replaced and Council officers would chase progress on this with contractors. Council officers also agreed to provide more information about the security certification of the front doors.

The TRA group asked Council officers to outline why removing the cladding at Taplow was behind the other blocks. Council officers explained that this was for a variety of reasons but mainly because the position of the block meant there were access issues, and that scaffolding had to be specifically designed to ensure that mast climbers were properly secure. This also meant that the crash deck had to be built and pushed in from Winchester Road, which took extra time. The TRA group requested a Council officer meet the Taplow residents to re-iterate that there was no increased fire risk from cladding remaining up over Christmas.

The TRA group asked about preparation for any emergencies over Christmas and New Year, and who to contact if anything goes wrong. Camden officers were already looking at this, including whether to have staff on site, and would publish a list of emergency contact list. The need for an effective method for residents to dispose and recycle waste over Christmas would also be reviewed, including step free access where needed.

Allocation of parking spaces available again in the underground carparks was discussed and officers confirmed a fair process was being coordinated. Officers confirmed it would be based on need and vulnerability of residents. Officers confirmed they would need more information, which would be shared in due course.