Residents of Bristol tower block conflicted over returning home

Barton House was declared unsafe by the council and an emergency evacuation was carried out

Residents have been returning to an evacuated Bristol tower block following work to make the building safe again.

More than 250 adults and children were evacuated from Barton House in November after concerns about its safety in the event of a fire or explosion.

Bristol City Council have now asked residents to return by 17:00 GMT on Friday following the go-ahead from structural engineers.

Detailed survey reports confirm the building follows safety specifications.

An initial investigation was undertaken into nine flats in key structural locations around the building.

Work then was carried out on 37 flats to fire-proof them and a new central fire alarm system has been put in place, as well as new fire alarms installed in all 98 flats.

The steel beams and walls have been reinforced to prevent them from collapsing in the event of a fire or explosion

Survey reports from Ridge and Partners LLP and Arup, together with assurance from Avon Fire and Rescue Service, confirm that Barton House is now safe for residents to return.

Some tenants still fear returning to the tower block over structural safety concerns, worried that the same thing could happen again without warning.

However, some are glad to be back in their own homes after an unsettling period of living in hotels paid for by the council.

Jon Wisbey, chair of the tenants association, said he was "relieved" to be returning home after staying in what he called the "Helliday" Inn.

Mr Wisbey said he was glad to be sitting on his own sofa again

"Personally I'm glad to be back. It's my home and I've been here 23 years," he said.

"There are some people that are really glad to be back, there are others that are really apprehensive about it. Every standpoint is valid.

"It was very traumatic with the evacuation. It was horrible for all of us, and it broke down a lot of trust between the council and the tenants.

"That's what needs to be rebuilt. Basically some of them don't believe the council when they say the building is safe to return to."

Mr Smith says the tower block is safe for residents to move back in

However John Smith, executive director of growth and regeneration at Bristol City Council, has assured concerned tenants that the building has been thoroughly checked by independent organisations.

"We're confident, the structural engineers are confident, but more importantly the fire brigade - as people that are independent from the work that we've been doing here - are confident as well," he said.

Residents are being encouraged to speak to housing officers to arrange a visit to their flat in advance of moving back in, to see for themselves the work that has been done.

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