Ledbury Towers residents moved to alternative housing as fire safety precaution

Southwark Council has informed residents living in the remaining three Ledbury Towers that it will move them to suitable alternative housing as a safety precaution after the council identified an increased fire risk onsite. 

In 2021, residents voted overwhelmingly to move to new high-quality homes and allow the council to demolish the Ledbury Towers on the Ledbury Estate in Peckham, southeast London.

Previously, in 2017, the council undertook emergency work on the buildings after major structural issues were identified. Consequently, it removed the gas supply and introduced a 24/7 waking watch service. 

Southwark Council says it has undertaken regular fire risk assessments but during its most recent check, it noted that some of the existing problems with the three tower buildings had worsened. In addition, it found that the storage of lithium batteries for mobility scooters could increase the risk of a fire. 

For these two reasons, the council announced earlier this month that it cannot risk residents living in the three towers long-term while new replacement housing is completed on site. Bromyard House is already in the process of being rebuilt, says the council. 

Southwark Council is in the process of redeveloping the Ledbury Estate to provide 340 new homes. Of these, 224 will be council properties to replace current homes in the old towers.

While the council works with remaining residents to move them from the towers as soon as alternative housing is found that meets the needs of each household, it says it will manage the situation by undertaking additional safety works. It will also keep the waking watch service in place and take a zero-tolerance approach to modes of transport that require lithium batteries such as e-scooters and e-bikes.

Labour councillor Sarah King, cabinet member for council homes, said: "Despite what we know about the long-term issues with the Ledbury Estate, this must have come as a shock for everyone living [there]. I have so much sympathy for residents who have to uproot themselves from their homes much sooner than expected, but their safety has to be our first priority and it’s not something we can compromise on.

"The action we have taken today follows advice from our fire consultants Frankhams after our joint, intrusive fire risk inspection (FRA4) discovered that existing problems with all three tower blocks buildings have worsened. When combined with the new problems caused by the storage of lithium batteries needed for e-scooters, which increase the risk of fire, we have agreed that we cannot risk people living in the blocks long-term while we wait for the new homes to be built on site. Residents will have to move out for their safety and the buildings will be demolished as planned.

"All residents will be supported at every stage with help and information about where they will move to and how we can help them settle into their new homes. Housing officers and fire safety experts will be based at the Ledbury Tenants and Residents Hall and our 24/7 waking watch will be remain on site to continue monitoring and mitigating risk. Under no circumstances should modes of transport needing a lithium battery enter any of the buildings."

Image credit | Shutterstock