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PENDLETON TOGETHER RESIDENTS’ HORROR AS SALFORD PFI COMPANY APOLOGISES
 

Star date 1st September 2014

A Salford Star Exclusive

73 YEAR OLD LIVING ON SANDWICHES...TENANTS' FLATS LOOK LIKE `HAND GRENADE HAS GONE OFF'...EVEN HOUSING CHIEF `SHOCKED' AND `DISTURBED'...

Pendleton Together and Keepmoat, the two companies at the centre of the £650million PFI project to `make things better' today apologised to tenants stuck in horrendous conditions during the refurbishment of Whitebeam Court.

Over the weekend, residents told the Salford Star that "there's no regard for people living on this building site". One 73 year old has been living on sandwiches since his cooker was disconnected weeks ago. He had also been left without hot water for two weeks. Another resident said that workmen left his flat "like a hand grenade had gone off...it's just chaos."

Full details here...  


Pendleton Together PFI Pendleton Together PFI Pendleton Together PFI
Pendleton Together PFI Pendleton Together PFI Pendleton Together PFI
Pendleton Together PFI Pendleton Together PFI Pendleton Together PFI
Pendleton Together PFI
click image to enlarge

"They said it would be the best thing since sliced bread...now I'm living on sandwiches..."

73 year old George Astley was the first resident to move into Whitebeam Court years ago, after his family's house was compulsorily purchased and bulldozed by Salford Council. There's still nothing built on the former street.

Since then, he's made Whitebeam Court his home and was quite happy there – until Salford Council came knocking again, promising to `change' Pendleton for the better.

"They said it would be the best thing since sliced bread" George recalls "All we get is pamphlets through the door about what they're going to with Salford but there's people living in Salford."

George and all the residents we speak to describe horrific living conditions since the Keepmoat work crews came in to refurbish the block as part of the first phase of the £650million Pendleton Together PFI project - which will see 1,250 homes receive a `makeover' as well as 1,500, largely unaffordable, new homes built and hundreds demolished (see previous Salford Star article – click here).

George, whose flat has been ripped apart around him, has gone without hot water for two weeks, and has just a microwave to heat food since his gas cooker was disconnected weeks ago.

"I can't eat ready meals, I don't like them, and I can't afford to go to a restaurant so I'm living on sandwiches" he explains "I'm also waiting to see my electric bill coming in as they're plugging everything into my electric and leaving the lights on.

"There's dust everywhere" he adds, and, pointing out bits of cable and pipes hanging everywhere and holes in the wall, explains "We call it a demolition squad and that's what they are. They cut my bell off and it's nowt to do with electric, it's batteries. They cut it off on the wire, they don't give a toss what they do. The guy across the way had his phone line cut before they even started. They were supposed to have put my heating in yesterday but half the radiators are not connected...

"They started doing the lift in April and said it would take 22 weeks to do the job; it's still not done; it's just disorganised, they don't know what they're doing" he explains "I've worked on building sites all my life, I was with British Gas for 32 years, but these have no idea. Noise? From 7am to 4:30pm there's a generator going all day, it drives you nuts...

"I'm 73 I don't need this" he sighs "I don't know how older, less well people are going to cope. Every weekend I'm cleaning when I could be out. Complain? Who to? They don't care. It's ok for them, they go home to a nice clean house with a hot meal - I'm living on sandwiches."

George's sentiments are echoed by other residents... "It's been chaos all the time" says John Clarkson "They left my flat like a hand grenade had gone off."

And Jamie on the 11th floor agrees with the war metaphor... "It's catastrophic, it's demoralising" he says "I expected it to be bad, you're living on a building site so it's going to be bad, but not this bad in my wildest dreams. I've seen houses after they've been hit by artillery and they look better than what my hall looked like when I had four loads of electricians and plumbers, all working at the same time" he adds "...Cables hanging out the ceiling, floors being flooded all at the same time...You're expected to live in one room; with no exaggeration it was like living in a war zone. They gave us dust sheets on day 17!"

Many feel that the more vulnerable residents should have been decanted to other properties while the work was ongoing... "On this block there's a lot of hurt and upset" Jamie explains "We've got people with so many issues – mental health, disability...only yesterday one person had got everything boxed up and they were walking over everything he owns.

"...One lady downstairs said that she'd had to send out for so many meals in the last few months she can't fit into a dress she bought for a wedding!" he adds "Some of us can cope but for some of these people the difference between making it and not making it is a fiver a week. They can't send out for food, so they have a choice, heat or eat. And that's wrong."

Indeed, the Salford Star has seen an email by a senior housing officer on the project which stated that he was "shocked" and "disturbed" at what he had seen after visiting some of the tenants' flats. And last week, the head of the PFI, Paul Longshaw, and Salford Council Assistant Mayor, Paul Dennett, met around twenty residents to try and sort out the mess.

"The human side of this has been totally disregarded and there's no regard for people living on this building site, for that's what it is" says another resident "As long as it looks good on the outside that's all they care about. And that's the worst part of it, that the human side has not even been considered."

Indeed, the hype around Pendleton Together isn't just about the outside appearance but also the new `environmental system' installed in all the flats, in the form of what looks like a giant silver fridge.

The Star was told that it's a potential fuel poverty nightmare waiting to happen. Apparently the environmental system is only cheaper if it isn't switched off, or cut off through power failure or someone's credit running out; or someone getting confused by the 15 page booklet and switching it off by mistake.

"It has to stay on 24 hours a day seven days a week" says Jamie "If you turn it off and the temperature drops down inside, when you turn it back on again you've got two basic immersion heaters screaming their heads off at the same time. Normally you'd put £10 in it which would do people for a week but to boost the system back up would see your £10 gone straight away. We've tried to sort out a fund for people who are in fuel poverty.

"The system is also only cheaper with 100% insulation" he adds "At the moment, our windows are unsealed, we've got six inch holes in the wall and we're heating the moon..."

We ask George Astley whether he would he let them do the refurbishment if he could go back in time?

"No I wouldn't let them in the house if I knew what I was going through now" he decides "I'd say `No, bugger off, go and start somewhere else and come back when I've jossed it'..."


Today, Pendleton PFI and Keepmoat sent the Salford Star a statement in response to the residents' concerns, apologising for "any disruption" and promising "additional support for those in difficult circumstances relating to lack of finance or specific personal needs", including an "emergency compensation scheme". They are also increasing "alternative accommodation" for those who need to move out during the works.

The statement reads...

"We recognise that there can be difficulties and disruption when working in 1960s concrete blocks. The team is working in extremely confined spaces and have encountered unforeseen refurbishment problems which only came to light once the work started. Unfortunately, this has resulted in a delay in the work being completed and additional disruption for residents. We would like to apologise to residents for any disruption this may have caused.

"The whole refurbishment programme is carefully managed as is all the work carried out on site. We have worked closely with residents to minimise disruption and they have been extremely patient throughout. We have helped residents by providing access to respite facilities and storage for their property.

" As a result of talking to residents and working with local councillors, we are putting in additional measures including increasing the number of respite facilities, more block cleaning, working with residents and their representatives more closely and providing additional support for those in difficult circumstances relating to lack of finance or specific personal needs. We are increasing the size of the team we have on site to assist with these measures.

"A number of properties have been made available for people, who for health or other reasons, would need to move out of their home in order for the improvement works to take place. Before starting work in anyone's home, we undertake a survey of their needs and requirements and are then able to make the best decision with the resident on a way forward. Although these requests for alternative accommodation are limited, we are increasing the number of empty homes that are available for this use.

"We have also put an emergency compensation scheme in place for immediate  payment to residents if they have suffered any difficulties due to loss of access to cooking  facilities, heating and water."

The Salford Star asked Salford Council, the third partner in the Pendleton PFI, for a comment. As usual, Salford Council didn't respond.

* Hand-out produced by residents...

Simple Every Day Phrases and English Translations Used on Planet Keepmoat

1 Your home refurbishment will take 15 – 25 days.
English: But after 25 days it may take a couple or more weeks, or so, maybe 10.

2 We will treat your home with care and dignity.
English: This does not include, flooding to flooring, or any other unnecessary damage and or destruction of furniture.

3 Our workmanship will be of the highest standards.
English: Only if you are there to watch us or, we feel like doing it right.

4  Don't worry, Keepmoat will pay all your damages and expenses at the end?
English: You pay for it all to be cleaned and repaired then "TRY" and claim it back, sometime from Keepmoat, after the job is finished, "good luck" LOL.

5 We will endeavour to have as little impact as we can on your home.
English: If you are daft enough to leave us we will defecate in your bathroom (as happened), use your electricity eight hours a day for weeks on end. Take a walk around your flat when we are not even working on it and have a good look around, etc.

6 Our staff are always polite and professional.
English: Our KM staff have already informed our customers that, "they do not need to know" why we are in your home.

7 We take rudeness and unprofessional behaviour very seriously and encourage our customers to complain.
English: Ha, ha, ha, LOL.

* The main photo shows George Astley in his flat.

** ** Update 12th September - Keepmoat offers residents just £1 for loss of bath and £2 for loss of cooking facilities - click here



wrote
at 16:20:33 on 12 July 2016
Keepmoat have the worse reputation at present. I have been left with lots jobs needing doing. Keepmoat have deemed me a liar, violent and abusive which they cannot back up but those tenants who have threatened keepmoat have been left alone. Because I'm female, disabled and have told management to leave my flat they are now victimised me
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Sally wrote
at 13:34:07 on 23 January 2015
Ok now that you have read all our complaints, I think the work should be stopped. The question is, what is going to be done about this? The next step should be made more public which involves television.
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Shirley O'Grady wrote
at 16:56:17 on 07 November 2014
I would like to say that I think Keepmoat are a total waste of time my husband is unwell as it is and they have made him even worse. They have broken and damaged things and are generally too nosey for their own good. The sooner they are off the premises the better, they couldn't run a xxxup in a brewery. They are untidy. The only ones that are any good are Carol the Liaison Officer and Craig the joiner who are good but the rest of them just seem to think it is a joke.
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Lewis wrote
at 18:58:02 on 20 October 2014
I visit family and friends on Spruce. I’m shocked at the state of the 'in progress' parts of the building to be honest. These are public spaces where people live!! wow. Im also sad enough to see shoddy work and photo it - newly run cables for intercoms or CCTV stuff chaffed to their shiny metal cores having been dragged through concrete holes?? eh. Did somebody actually get paid for this work? Amazing what you see waiting for the only working lift in the building..... Peanuts, Monkeys ....where's the leadership and skills for this half a billion pound project in Pendleton? Are there actually any ‘Trades’ on this project or is it just one big training course at the expense of Tenants and Salford Tax payers? The Pendleton Together and Keepmoat P.R. departments appear the busiest tbh. On the point of Eco Heating - who signed that one off in a predominantly low-income area? This Middle-class fancy, badly executed, will make poor people, poorer. P45!
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Catgirl wrote
at 09:28:20 on 20 October 2014
Hey everyone. I am living in Thorn court, and they are due to start working on our flats next year apparently but have yet to give us a date. I am very worried about this. I am not happy about being tossed out my home everyday for months. Not something I am going to agree too. I am in middle of negotiations with Keep-moat and pendleton together. As with all in formation coming out now. I am considering refusing them entry and taking them to court in regards to there right to entry. I am pretty worried about this now and starting feel like another council blunder is going make a lot people who were happy in there homes suddenly feel very unhappy.
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Tahir Chakotai wrote
at 17:28:28 on 10 October 2014
Dear Garry Cooper. Yet again you are quoting utter nonsense. I am aware that most able body people are happy with the refurbishment of their block. However I defend those, who have been distressed by the refurbishment, who usually are elderly or disabled. Obviously their needs differ from yours. I am not scaremongering or trying to organise a linch mob. I am simply trying to assist and support those with physical or mental disability. In future I recommend you think before you write. Your comments are offensive, and inappropriate, and prove that you have not understood or read my comments in full. In future please refrain from using such behaviour when commenting on the Salford Star. Also remember that we are all Salford Citizens, and we should be working together, not bitching each other.
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garry s cooper wrote
at 08:57:30 on 15 September 2014
also mr chakotai i also failed to mention when the EU regs got updated (eheap regs 99% without immersion)this was implemented in march this year so actually my facts are coordinated and just(you seemed to miss certain parts regarding the understanding of balance thru all sides of events,) i strongly suggest you regale thru my earliest post,it just comes across that some things being stated are often a result of a negative band wagon,ok fine i understand folk have opinions and freedom to express but only relevant folk whom are ACTUALLY affected via the refurb.not an outsider trying to stir up a lynch mob of negative with only one side of a story.i know a there is issues that affect folk but also a lot that are pleased with the works.so where is the common logic in scaremongering by your comments by throwing fuel on a preverbial fire which has nowt to do with you in the first place mr chakotai?best wishes from an accountable and elected tenant advocate
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Tahir Chakotai wrote
at 20:37:48 on 14 September 2014
Dear Mr. Garry S. Cooper. What are you blabbering on about?. 1. Have you really talked to the designers of your new Eco system. I was not aware we have had any such conversations. I helped design the very first Eco Heat Transfer System over 10 years ago. Even then, I advised that the system remain theoretical and should never be built or installed due to its over complex design. 2. I was subject to refurbishment in May 2011 - Present Day, so why you have waffled on about boundaries and not being subject to disturbance under refurbishment? Your writing a load of nonsense. 3. I don't remember ranting at you in my comment. You seemed interested in Eco Heat Transfer Systems, and I was just trying to show you the difference between "Theoretical Principals" and "Practical Fact". I find you whole manner demeaning, and if you check all of my other Salford Star comments, you will see that I have been supporting and advising the vulnerable tenants who are being subjected to appalling conditions, due to the ongoing refurbishment in their tower blocks. In future spend a little less time ranting, and a little more time reading, then you would see that I am a friend, not a foe.
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Garry.S.Cooper wrote
at 18:43:11 on 14 September 2014
ok mr tahir chakotai 1, after i went thru the information with a toothpick actually my information is valid even outside factory settings of the machine 2,i have spoken to both engineers and technical staff(designers ,managers the ilk)with the concerns 3,as a person who not only lives in the affected area and current refurbishing block,also a tennant under pendleton together(which does not stem to cannon hussey )to be factual you really are not affected whatsoever by these circumstances as you are not living in the refurbishment catchment area so aside from possible trying to throw fuel on a fire of negativity what is your aim but the latter? 4,eco pods???????since where does this come into the actual conversation?????(please don,t answer that one it would be pointless)
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Tahir Chakotai wrote
at 07:12:07 on 13 September 2014
Dear Gary S. Cooper. Before I suffered a stroke I worked for BNFL as an Electrical Design Engineer. So I am well aquatinted with Heat Transfer Systems. However what you have stated, is somewhat a "Black and White Perspective", and is based on the heating system working to 100% of its potential. However any Electrical Research Design Engineer will tell you, that if a system is too complicated, then sooner or later things will go wrong. Therefore your statement is based on the "Theoretical Sciences" behind the new Eco Heating Transfer System, but certainly is not based on the "Practical Reality". Therefore what you have stated to the tenants is not entirely accurate and reads like an "Instruction Manual" rather than "Actual Fact". When you put in factors like poor construction and parts, poor installation ect, you find that at best, the heating systems efficiency goes down to around "80%". And obviously this loss of efficiency comes at a cost to the tenants. Therefore if the heating system was perfect, then what you have stated would be accurate, however every Electric Design Engineer knows that through bad design, and variant factors due to the "Second & Third Law of Thermo Dynamics", no electrical or mechanical system is 100% efficient. Therefore such Eco systems should not be placed within tower blocks where there are people living on limited means. I currently reside at Canon Hussey Court. Our Eco-Pod system which has a "Solar/Gas Hybrid Heating Transfer System, has never worked properly since it was fitted two years ago. This has cost the tenants in our tower block a small fortune. Therefore it is my professional opinion that such Eco Heat Transfer Systems should not be fitted to Council Tower Blocks.
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Anthony Cain wrote
at 21:56:21 on 11 September 2014
£70.000 on each flat my arse theres no way your getting my flat no way 25 days more like 75 days move me or avict me tell the work is done Salford jods for salford people where are they ? End of rant aj cain spruce court
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Garry.S.Cooper wrote
at 13:42:30 on 06 September 2014
I find a lot of fear and hearsay regarding the new heating system,BUT a lotcomes from previous events around the country with the firms 360e model which runs at factory settings at 5+kws an hour whereas the one used is the f370 system that is far economical and vastly better to control(i myself managed to get the pdf of the blueprints at my own expense for research purposes,parts power input/output weights dimensions,legalitys eu law and uk law)even a complete report and information from the metoerlogical society regarding annual temperatures and humidity in the pendleton area alone)so just for considerations lets see some facts 1,since 2007 eu directive outlawed gas in 7+storey residential building (hence the gas removal) 2,EU regs also state that a eheap(ELECTRIC HEATED EXHAUST AIR PUMP)has to be able to work and sustain 99% of its work without immersion(which it does if left on for 24hrs ,simply put don,t turn them off) 3,when the cladding is whole on the building its estimated to run at very low cost as given all abodes will have them its nearly akin to communal heating.to which is still been studied and information will be available, 4,is it or is it not human nature to fear new things and ideas,in this case adaptations and its affiliated stereotypes of simalar jobs in other areas (seek reference to nibe 360 e fighter costs)remember we are getting the updated and superior model,eg FORD MOTOR COMPANY manufactured the EDSEL years ago which was terrible but they also make mustangs,GT,s(le man racers and winners)and aston martins. so my question to scare mongering regarding these new heating systems is this (given the cladding is incomplete and a lot of folk are taking note on others experience on a much flawed older machines,that we are not getting installed does the "eat of heat" attitude really apply.also to be balanced at all situations regarding the refurb done by local authoritys and affiliated bodies are we really getting the FULL STORY so far it only reads one sided.i had my windows done 2 days ago and keepmoat were very satisfactory i moved all my gear to back of rooms made plenty of space and they put dust protecters everywhere (infact they did it overspec in my opinion)there was no mess whatsoever and the windows were done and very very minor disruption,simply because i liased with the RLO beforehand explaining things and asking him how much room the workers may require,a bit of common sense and proactive approach goes a long long way,a reactive approach always fails as failure to prepare is preparing to fail,i was completely satisfied even my next door neighbour was over the moon with how his works went aswell,so its not all doom and gloom. I understand there are disabled folk and elderly folk that require help for their adaptations ,simply don,t keep quiet get in touch with local RLO (because thats what they are there for)and explain your issues and concerns i,m certain they will accomodate,instead of waiting till after then complaining.proactive not reactive remember that.
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Fred halfpenny wrote
at 07:49:09 on 04 September 2014
I have great sympathy for tenants and others affected by this work but to be looking only at contractors is not right. The city council and its arms length housing companies are responsible here, they (like the city council) are so hell bent on getting work done at such amazingly low rates that quality is not possible. Members of the public would be amazed at the low rates forced onto companies which contract with the council which can be as much as 50% less than the council can do it. Social care being one of the areas where the city pays suppliers less than the hourly rate it pays its own staff.
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Ibrahim wrote
at 05:30:31 on 04 September 2014
the same thing happened to my flat in spruce court
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Joe O'Malley wrote
at 22:12:47 on 03 September 2014
We are having are block refurbished as well and have created the Facebook page 'sort it out Salford' to try and get issues resolved. Please see https://www.facebook.com/groups/790788260956033/
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Karen Bird wrote
at 18:49:40 on 03 September 2014
I live in a Keepmoat developed house as part of Pendleton Together. Officially, the workmen have now completed the works but my house is virtually derelict! I've got a hole in my kitchen floor, my bedroom ceiling was damaged when they did the roof and is now sagging down and detached from the wall, my new door has no letter box - it has the hole but no flap to stop the draught - they ripped up carpets but didn't replace them, they actually through the landing carpet away (!), the lock on the front door only works when it wants to and for most of the time doesn't want to and the patio doors need 7 hands and about 3 tonnes of brute strength to close and lock! I can sympathise with the electric bill - I use about £8 per week in electric but when they were here I was having to put in £25-30 each week just to cover thier machines! After my rewire I was talking to the 'electrician' who proudly told us that he was past the halfway stage of his apprenticeship so we had an unqualified child doing the work!Again, the same as George I was without a kitchen for 7 weeks and when they did start doing the kitchen, they snapped the back off my eye level grill, told me that my cooker was condemned then left me on a friday afternoon with no cooker with a disabled child. The worst of the worst was them smashing up the hamster cage and leaving the hamster unconfined lay in the middle of my bed! I wish now I'd refused them entry to my house! Blooming cowboys :-(
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lesley andrews wrote
at 16:46:56 on 02 September 2014
Disgusting the way tenants and their belongings have been treated. Absolutely destroyed my mums flat on the 11th floor, minimal disturbance she was told, wonder why she hasn't been able to live in her flat then for weeks, and every room in her flat looked like a bomb had gone off in it. Fuming is an understatement!
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Simon wrote
at 16:46:52 on 02 September 2014
I agree with Sandra and Tahir Chakotai, get the HSE in and get Stephensons Solicitors to start legal action against these people. It double standards all the way. It was not long ago that a gas explosion in Irlam, which happened while refurbishment work was being carried out.
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will latham wrote
at 13:38:54 on 02 September 2014
Splendid work of the Star to give ordinary people a voice in matters that concern them in their everyday life.It sounds as if it has been like a gathering of cowboy builders operating with little supervision while the pen pushers in some distant office decide the fate of Salford citizens who surely deserve better treatment.
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Anthony Dowd wrote
at 13:38:00 on 02 September 2014
As usual where Salford City council and it's money-grabbing off-shoots are concerned - TOTAL DISASTER. These companies bid for the contracts, then feel they can what they want when things DO go wrong. Where are the council in all this? Refusing to even give a response? nothing new there is it! I bet the companies involved will STILL get paid, whilst the residents end up footing the extra bills. Or is YET ANOTHER DISASTER just a 'paperwork error' ian stewart? Where is your 'leadership' in all this debacle? THIS is what life will be like if residents allow the Council to GIVE AWAY YOUR homes to Salix.
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Tahir Chakotai wrote
at 13:37:09 on 02 September 2014
This is "Disgusting". I am a disabled person. I to had refurbishment work done to my tower block. We were all told it would take 6 months. The work went on for 3 and a half years, and is still going on now. I was forced to do the stairs, because the lifts had either broken down, or the workmen were using them. Towards the end I was informed that I was I entitled to a Decant, which is a temporary move, and the council would pay £1000 pounds towards costs. This was confirmed in writing by a members of the Joint Salford Council Legal Team, Mr R. Wilson and Mr A. Clark. I think it is completely disgusting that a man in his seventies has not been offered such a move. I have had a phone call today informing me that this is happening in other tower blocks as well, where the vulnerable and elderly are having to live in dire conditions while their flat is being refurbished. It is therefore essential that the tenants of such buildings stick together, and support those who are elderly and disabled. Those who are elderly, disabled, are at high risk of injury or mentally disabled, are entitled to a Decant/Temporary Move. If you are elderly or disabled seek the advice of a solicitor if you are refused a Decant/Temporary move. Many tenants, including myself have used Stephensons Solicitors. You can still get Legal Aid to resolve such problems with your landlord. Please remember, it does not matter if your Landlord states they cannot afford to Decant you, it is your civil and legal right to be Decanted if the ongoing works is likely to effect your health, either Mentally or Physically. I just hope the elderly person featured in this article, gets the Decant he so rightly deserves. Best wishes from a Tenant Advocate, Tahir Chakotai.
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Sandra wrote
at 09:03:04 on 02 September 2014
Looking at the pictures, I think the HSE should be called in and maybe the local fire officer, anyone who is independent from the council to carry out safety checks and see if the law is being broken. If there is so much building work going on then the tower blocks would be classed as work sites and HSE have powers to investigate, fine and prosecute. No point in asking the council as they always pass their own sub-standard work.
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Jamie wrote
at 06:22:51 on 02 September 2014
"The whole refurbishment programme is carefully managed as is all the work carried out on site". "We have worked closely with residents to minimize disruption". I state now, this is a complete load of rubbish and a very dishonest lie. And I publicly challenge Keepmoat to prosecute me for Defamation? Please try?
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They will try to discredit you, block information and shut you down. In South America they just blow up the offices of journalists that don't play the game. Here they just financially assassinate you...

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SALFORD STAR CLOSURE – GUY GRIFFITHS ON THE HUMAN COST OF PATHFINDER DEMOLITIONS

Star date: 16th May 2021

THE HUMAN COST OF REGENERATION

The Griffiths brothers of Higher Broughton are kind of infamous as the only people to be forcefully evicted from their house as part of the Pathfinder 'housing market renewal' project during the first decade of the 21st Century.

Here, Guy Griffiths, now living in 'sunny' north Wales and one of the main inspirations for the Salford Star's creation, writes the second part his own personal view of the Government project that devastated communities throughout Central Salford.

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written and produced by Salfordians for Salfordians
with attitude and love xxx