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Tower block flats costing £3k a day to keep safe

Elliot Jessett
Local Democracy Reporting Service
LDRS A tall brown brick tower block with green writing about the door which says Willow Rise. Two trees are to the left of the flats.LDRS
Wilow Rise and Beech Rise in Kirkby were found to be in breach of fire safety regulations

Two tower blocks on Merseyside are costing a council £3,000 per day to keep them safe, a senior local authority official has said.

Beech Rise and Willow Rise in Kirkby, which have hundreds of residents both rental tenants and leaseholders, have been using a "waking watch" service after being found to be in breach of fire safety regulations.

Trained personnel patrol the tower blocks after it was recommended by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) as essential works failed to be undertaken.

After the flat's management company terminated its contract Knowsley Council stepped in to pay for the scheme until the flats are vacated.

Ground floor external view of flats showing window with frosting and the world Parklands. Lime green banner above the entrance has green text which says Willow Rise.
Residents have been left without a management company

The LDRS previously reported on a letter sent by Knowsley Council to 160 households at Willow Rise and Beech Rise confirming they would have to permanently vacate their homes in a matter of weeks.

The local authority explained MFRS had been forced to serve a prohibition notice due to the management company's failure to complete essential repairs.

An MFRS representative said when the "waking watch" ended the buildings "will no longer be safe for residents to live in".

Mr Penfold-Ivany is sat on a sofa in his living room reading a letter from Knowsley Council
Residents received a letter about vacating their homes on 27 May

Knowsley councillor Tony Brennan said: "Residents in these two blocks, which are privately owned, have suffered from years of mismanagement and a lack of maintenance.

"This has now culminated in such serious health and safety issues that the Fire Service feel the building is unsafe to occupy without a 24/7 waking watch – which we are currently providing at a cost of almost £3,000 per day.

"With the management company confirming that they have no funds to carry out the works which would be needed to bring the buildings up to a safe standard – which would run into millions of pounds – we have had no choice but to advise residents that they should now seek alternative accommodation as soon as possible."

Knowsley MP Anneliese Midgley said: "This is a deeply distressing situation that has left 160 households in my constituency at risk of homelessness through no fault of their own.

"The immediate priority must be to ensure everyone is safely rehoused."

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