Tower scaffolding gets removed after four years

Scaffolding has been removed from the top floors

Scaffolding and netting that covered a tower block for more than four years will be taken down.

Work to remove flammable cladding at St Francis Tower in Ipswich started in 2021 and was almost complete.

As a result, contractor Guildmore said it expected all of the scaffolding to be removed in the next four weeks.

It added that the work was nearly completed two years ago, but a burst pipe flooded the building and they had to start again. Residents were also moved out in 2023 due to the flooding.

Different kinds of wrapping have been placed around the scaffolding

In June, residents were told they would not be able to return to their homes for another 12-15 months.

They have been provided with temporary accommodation by the block's property management company, Pier Management.

The internal works were expected to take at least a year; however, it's unknown if funding was in place for those repairs.

A funding application was expected to be lodged with the government.

Ross Bonner, who owns four flats in the tower, said despite the scaffolding starting to come down, he still had "no faith or hope" as there were still "hurdles to get this building back into a habitable state".

He added: "We'll have a building that from the exterior will look brand spanking new, but no-one will be able to move into it and possibly never be able to move into it if this internal works application is not accepted."

He said he hoped the management company would have a meeting with the government in the near future to ensure the funding application would be accepted.

"There needs to be a resolution and quick. It's been an embarrassment for Ipswich for the years it's been wrapped in scaffolding," said Mr Bonner.

Pier Management has been contacted for comment.

Ross Bonner started a leaseholders' committee for owners of flats in the building

A spokesperson from Guildmore said the construction firm had nearly finished all the external work and was completing the final lower floors over the next two weeks.

It added that the scaffolding was being dismantled from the top.