London,
19
January
2018
|
16:16
Europe/London

The latest news and updates from the Chalcots Estate – w/c 8 January 2018

We would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and hope you had a restful break. We would also like to thank you for you continued patience as the next stage of works starts to progress.

Window safety

We wrote to you last week about window safety. There have been two incidents where windows have sustained significant damage. Specialist teams have assessed that damage and are now investigating the cause of these incidents. We will update you as we know more.

Whilst these investigations are ongoing, we remind residents not to open their windows beyond their 100mm restrictors at any time and to keep them shut during particularly high winds. This is for your safety and the safety of those walking or driving below your block.

 If you have concerns about your windows please report them immediately to Rydon’s Contact Centre on 020 7288 8322.

Following the investigatory works undertaken before cladding removal, each block had a single temporary plasterboard panel fitted at a low level. Over the Christmas period, one of these temporary panels fell from Dorney onto the scaffolding crash deck. It appears this panel had not been securely fixed and we apologise for this. Our teams have since checked the remaining temporary panels and have confirmed that they are securely fitted.

Cladding removal and current works

Cladding removal works have now resumed at Taplow. We still expect these works to be completed before the end of January, subject to safe working conditions. The cladding has been safely removed from all other blocks and you should have received notice about changes to the fire warden patrols.

Contractors are now back after the Christmas break. If you see any snagging works or have any other issues you can report them to your Resident Liaison Officer:

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

Condensation and damp

We have had a small number of reports of damp inside flats. If you have any concerns about damp or mould in your home we would like to hear from you, please call the Chalcots Works Coordinator on 020 7974 5539.

We would like to remind you about ways you can control the balance between temperature, humidity and ventilation to prevent damp in your home:

o Maintain a comfortable temperature as increased humidity can cause damp

o Prevent the spread of moisture by closing the bathroom and kitchen doors when cooking or bathing, also use saucepan lids while cooking on your stove

o Ensure the trickle vents in your windows are not blocked, these allow sufficient ventilation to prevent damp without opening the windows

o Try to create spaces between your furniture and walls, furniture pushed up against walls can trap moisture aiding the mould growth

o In the event that you do get mould, try to clean it as soon as possible using effective cleaners that kill spores

Respite spaces

We would like to remind you that the respite spaces are still available at The Winch between 10am and 2pm, Monday to Saturday.

At Swiss Cottage Library, quiet working spaces are still available in the Adelaide Room, from 10am to 8pm, Monday to Thursday and 10am to 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Activities are also still available at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, including family swim sessions from 10am to 3pm on Saturdays.

These respite spaces and activities have been reserved for Chalcots residents and are available currently the end of January when we will review their use.

Other news

You can access a voucher worth £10 to assist you with managing your household budget as you use additional electricity to operate your boiler over the winter months. You can redeem this voucher at a number of high street stores. To get your voucher please contact Camden on 020 7974 4444 (option 7).

We remind residents of Blashford that the second fuel payment of £35 per month, covering fuel costs for February to April, will be made before the end of January. If you are a Blashford resident and have not yet claimed your fuel payments please call 020 7974 4444 (option 7).

If you have a question about your housing options, come along to our housing drop-in event at Swiss Cottage Library, from 2pm to 6pm on Thursday 25 January. At the event, council officers will be available with information about possible housing options and can help getting set up with various housing services where necessary.

Try something different this New Year by joining your local Green Gym. There are Green Gyms located all over the borough with activities and times to suit your schedule. This free environmental conservation project is perfect for anyone looking to get out, get fit, meet others and make friends. It’s a fantastic way to improve your physical and mental wellbeing and no experience is necessary, find further details online at tcv.org.uk/camden

Feedback from TRA technical meeting, Wednesday 10 January 2018, present Blashford, Taplow, Burnham, Bray and Dorney

The TRA group raised a number of points about front and communal doors. Following discussions with the TRA group, Camden advised that finishes to the communal doors would include a ‘saddle’ strip attached to the floor that meets the relevant requirements for wheelchair and disabled access. Camden explained that saddles are used to ensure doors can be shut correctly when floor levels are not straight.

It was noted that a number of flats had internal doors missing. It was explained that over the years some internal doors had been changed or removed by tenants. Camden said that building regulations did not require doors to be fitted inside flats, the main requirement being to fit a fire-resistant front entrance door. The Council is installing doors that are resistant for 60 minutes and has installed additional smoke and heat detectors within flats to improve early detection of any fires within dwellings.

The TRA had queries around on street parking. There had been a number of instances where residents had received tickets when parked in the correct zone. Camden said they would look into this on behalf of the residents concerned.

Works to install floor numbers in the stairwells and by the lifts that will glow in the dark will be starting soon. The proposal to have door numbers on the wall adjacent the flats are still under consideration and Camden will continue to discuss these with the resident representatives.

The TRA raised recent issues with the windows. Camden currently have engineers assessing the windows and their frames. Further updates will be provided as reports come through.

It was asked if the windows could be cleaned in between works using the mast climbers. Camden said that when works have been completed the windows could be cleaned.

The TRA group asked who is to be phoned for inside flat repairs, repairs to windows and plastic seals around the windows. Camden confirmed that Rydon would undertake these repairs.