Unsafe cladding remains a 'challenge', professor says

Professor Mike Leonard said: "Ending the cladding crisis across the region must now be a priority."

A construction expert says the process of removing unsafe cladding from homes in the West Midlands to prevent another Grenfell is still a "challenge".

Visiting Professor Mike Leonard, from Birmingham City University (BCU) is working with West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) on its new West Midlands Remediation Acceleration Plan.

The initiative aims to fast-track the removal of flammable cladding from residential buildings over 11 metres tall.

Professor Leonard said: "Ending the cladding crisis across the region must now be a priority."

He said: "It has been eight years since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, yet the challenge of replacing unsafe cladding on medium- and high-rise residential buildings is still in its early stages.

"The fear of another fire, alongside rising insurance costs, waking watch requirements, and the reality of being trapped in homes that have lost value and are difficult to sell, has brought years of misery to residents.

"We look forward to working closely with the WMCA to make the best use of devolved funding-identifying, diagnosing and intervening, where necessary, to ensure affected buildings are made safe and comfortable."

The plan was unveiled earlier this month at the Building a Safer Future Conference, held at the West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters.

Councillor Sharon Thompson, deputy mayor of the West Midlands, introduced the initiative, with the aim to ensure residents and key stakeholders are properly engaged in shaping the remediation process.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: "I've listened to heartbreaking stories from residents about the impact living in an unsafe building is having on their lives.

"The Grenfell Tower tragedy must always remain in our minds as a stark example of what can happen when safety is not put first.

"That's why we've been working with partner agencies to get the remediation process sped up, so we can ensure nothing like this ever happens again. Everyone deserves a safe home."

Professor Leonard is also seeking to involve BCU students in the project through placements with the WMCA.

In 2022, he instigated the UK's first fire engineering degree apprenticeship, developed in response to recommendations from the Grenfell report.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.