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| Barbourne Works: Cladding-risk residents 'given 30 minutes' to evacuate | Barbourne Works: Cladding-risk residents 'given 30 minutes' to evacuate |
| (2 days later) | |
| Anne Eason said she was given half an hour to leave the flat | Anne Eason said she was given half an hour to leave the flat |
| A woman living in a hotel because her apartment block was evacuated over dangerous cladding said she was given 30 minutes to leave her home. | A woman living in a hotel because her apartment block was evacuated over dangerous cladding said she was given 30 minutes to leave her home. |
| Anne Eason was one of 60 residents told to leave Barbourne Works in Worcester on Wednesday after inspectors found dangers "so significant and the risk to residents was so severe" a prohibition notice was issued. | Anne Eason was one of 60 residents told to leave Barbourne Works in Worcester on Wednesday after inspectors found dangers "so significant and the risk to residents was so severe" a prohibition notice was issued. |
| "I think the knock at my door was about half past eight and we were told we had to be out by nine," she said. "It was a bit heavy-handed. There were police there and you were told that the law said you had to move whether you liked it or not." | "I think the knock at my door was about half past eight and we were told we had to be out by nine," she said. "It was a bit heavy-handed. There were police there and you were told that the law said you had to move whether you liked it or not." |
| Managing agents First Port said action was taken with residents' safety as the highest priority. | Managing agents First Port said action was taken with residents' safety as the highest priority. |
| Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service placed the building under a prohibition notice after an inspection identified concerns dating back to when the former factory was converted 20 years ago. | Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service placed the building under a prohibition notice after an inspection identified concerns dating back to when the former factory was converted 20 years ago. |
| Of the 60 people who had to leave the block, there were eight children, a heavily pregnant woman, a couple getting married next week, an autistic man and an army veteran with PTSD. | |
| Chris Sherwin and Amy Hawkswood are getting married next week | Chris Sherwin and Amy Hawkswood are getting married next week |
| Ms Eason said residents received a letter from First Port in October 2023 which said fire works had to be done and there had been application for a government grant for new cladding approved in July. | Ms Eason said residents received a letter from First Port in October 2023 which said fire works had to be done and there had been application for a government grant for new cladding approved in July. |
| But she claimed nothing had been done since. | But she claimed nothing had been done since. |
| "Most of us understand that we can't live in a building that's unsafe but if they're saying it's been unsafe since it was converted, why has it taken 20-odd years for somebody to tell us it's unsafe?" she asked. | "Most of us understand that we can't live in a building that's unsafe but if they're saying it's been unsafe since it was converted, why has it taken 20-odd years for somebody to tell us it's unsafe?" she asked. |
| Ashley Gurr and Niamh Gillen said they were in shock about being evacuated from their home of two years | Ashley Gurr and Niamh Gillen said they were in shock about being evacuated from their home of two years |
| Ms Eason, who has been in a budget hotel since Friday, said she could only stay until Thursday because First Port would only authorise a couple of days at a time. | Ms Eason, who has been in a budget hotel since Friday, said she could only stay until Thursday because First Port would only authorise a couple of days at a time. |
| "Thursday morning, I've got to check out, try and go to work, and not know when I come back from work where I'm supposed to be sleeping for the night," she said, adding people were struggling with their mental health and wellbeing as a result. | "Thursday morning, I've got to check out, try and go to work, and not know when I come back from work where I'm supposed to be sleeping for the night," she said, adding people were struggling with their mental health and wellbeing as a result. |
| Residents were only being allowed back to their flats for 15-minute slots, she said. | Residents were only being allowed back to their flats for 15-minute slots, she said. |
| "I haven't got cooking facilities, I've got no laundry facilities, I haven't even got a fridge." | "I haven't got cooking facilities, I've got no laundry facilities, I haven't even got a fridge." |
| Barbourne residents evacuated | Barbourne residents evacuated |
| Ms Eason claimed recladding work originally booked for last year had been deferred twice and was now scheduled for January, to be completed by May or June. | Ms Eason claimed recladding work originally booked for last year had been deferred twice and was now scheduled for January, to be completed by May or June. |
| "My understanding is there is a bit of a bunfight about who's going to pay for it, who's responsible," she added. | "My understanding is there is a bit of a bunfight about who's going to pay for it, who's responsible," she added. |
| A statement issued by First Port said: "We understand how disruptive this situation is for residents. However, this action was taken with their safety as the highest priority." | A statement issued by First Port said: "We understand how disruptive this situation is for residents. However, this action was taken with their safety as the highest priority." |
| The firm said its immediate focus was on securing short-term accommodation for affected residents. | The firm said its immediate focus was on securing short-term accommodation for affected residents. |
| It said: "At the same time, we are actively working on longer-term arrangements." | It said: "At the same time, we are actively working on longer-term arrangements." |
| Those evacuated included 60 people, eight of whom were children | Those evacuated included 60 people, eight of whom were children |
| The company said talks were continuing with stakeholders on next steps and specialist contractors were conducting surveys this week to better understand the structure of the building. | The company said talks were continuing with stakeholders on next steps and specialist contractors were conducting surveys this week to better understand the structure of the building. |
| The statement said: "These assessments will help determine what safety measures are required to allow residents to return home and establish a clearer timeline." | The statement said: "These assessments will help determine what safety measures are required to allow residents to return home and establish a clearer timeline." |
| First Port does not own the building and is the managing agent appointed by the Resident Management Company (RMC) to act on their behalf. | First Port does not own the building and is the managing agent appointed by the Resident Management Company (RMC) to act on their behalf. |
| Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. | Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. |
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