The emergency evacuation of Barton House, a tower block in Bristol, revealed that the structure was not built according to plans, a Bristol city councillor has confirmed. More than 400 residents of the building, built in 1958, were forced to evacuate on Tuesday after a major incident was declared by the council. Issues had been found with the concrete sections of the building.
Kye Dudd, cabinet member for housing services and energy, blamed the issues on the building’s construction. He confirmed that Barton House was not affected by the same Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) which had caused issues in other schools and hospitals. Dudd stated that if the building had been constructed to its original design, the emergency evacuation would not be necessary.
The council notified the government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities regarding the structure of Barton House. BCC assured residents that the issues that caused the evacuation were specific to Barton House and other buildings in the city were unaffected. After packing enough clothes for a day or two, residents were advised to stay with friends and family or go to rest centers.
Wilfred Stewart, a resident of Barton House, displayed cracks in walls and beams of his apartment and had painted over the damage several times before. Stewart expressed concern for other elderly residents and children in the building. Other residents expressed the difficulties they faced following the evacuation including finding temporary accommodation. Nuh Sharif, a Barton House resident, stated he would not risk the safety of his wife and children by returning to the building.
Bristol City Council hopes to address the issues with Barton House, which remains evacuated, while focusing on the safety of its residents
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