Does fire safety work on flats in Leeds have to be done in middle of pandemic? - YEP letters

FROM: Nigel Smith, Leeds
Living in a high rise council flat has been a challenge during the Covid 19 pandemic.Living in a high rise council flat has been a challenge during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Living in a high rise council flat has been a challenge during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Living in a high rise council flat has been a challenge during the Covid 19 pandemic.

Myself and my neighbour, both of us shielding, have been so careful to follow the rules. Not going out, having food delivered so as to avoid shops, and not using lifts where at all possible.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Imagine our incomprehension when the council informed us that from the start of December we would be having our sprinkler system installed as though everything was normal!

So while we are confined to our own flats with very limited scope to go out we are expected to host gangs of workmen in our communal areas and lifts and stairs.

Constant drilling, drowning out the TV and phone, but told by government that going out for the day is illegal.

The virus is spreading like wildfire but it seems that our anxiety is a second thought to the planners of these types of schemes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While I welcome wholeheartedly the safety benefits of the sprinklers now is not the time to carry out the work, which involves two full days in each flat on top of all the communal areas.

We have 12 more weeks to endure this yet protests to the council elicit the response that everything is safe.

Well I do not feel safe and I have said so.

l The YEP contacted Leeds City Council for a response to this letter. A spokesperson said: “Leeds City Council is absolutely committed to providing safe, quality homes to all of our tenants, and this is more important to us than ever during the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The work being conducted is part of additional fire safety measures.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We continue to follow national Coronavirus guidelines and conduct strict risk and noise assessments before any work takes place. We will however work with any vulnerable residents to support them through the installation and ensure the minimum amount of disruption.”

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.