By Edward Trotter-
Wolverhampton Council bosses are planning to put close to £20m to have sprinklers fitted in high rise tower blocks . The aim is to avoid a repeat of the Greenfell Tower disaster, and protect the safety of tenants, described as being’paramount’.
The sprinklers are expected to be rolled out over the next five years, with flats in Heath Town set to be the first to benefit from the huge cash infusion, the eye of media.com have heard.
Wolverhampton council’s housing boss Peter Bilson told a few reporters that Woltherhampton Council had decided to take action rather than waiting for advice from the Government.
Councilor Bilson said:
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“This is a clear indication and statement of intent to address the challenges that we know people are concerned about.
“We have acknowledged there is a considerable amount of public concern around the issue. We are not opposed to the fitting of sprinklers.
“It is in our interests to make sure tenants’ health and wellbeing is the best it possibly can be.”
The council said requests for funding from the Government to finance sprinklers, but had so far not been successful, meaning it has had to pledge its own funds towards the programme for the next five years.
Councillor Bilson added: “We have not had any guidance from central Government on the review following Grenfell Tower nor have we had any guidance on regulations from central Government.
“If we are making provision for for sprinklers we can’t be spending on other things but nevertheless I do think safety and wellbeing is a crucial issue.
“No-one can deny the horror of Grenfell Tower has left us all to reflect.
“We are not waiting. We hoped to have heard something from central Government by now but the reality is we haven’t. We feel the fitting of sprinklers is needed to give the public the reassurance they are looking for.”
The plans to fully secure tower blocks in Wolverhampton is most welcome, and will improve the safety of residents there. It is not clear why the council have received limited response from the British government.
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The government has been contacted for comment.
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