Huddersfield high-rise fire patrol over cladding concerns

Harold Wilson Court in Huddersfield town centre is among those managed by Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing

Extra fire safety measures have been put in place at three council-owned high-rise buildings in West Yorkshire after concerns about their cladding.

Harold Wilson Court, an 11-storey block in Huddersfield, will have round-the-clock patrols, said Kirklees Council.

The 17-storey Holme Park Court and Bishops Court, in Berry Brow, are also to get extra safety precautions.

Concerns about the buildings' outside insulation were raised after safety inspections, said the council.

The government recently announced a new £30m fund to help pay for the installation of fire alarms in high-rise buildings with dangerous cladding.

Residents of a South Yorkshire apartment block were told to evacuate the building after it failed fire safety tests earlier this month. Remedial works at the Wicker Riverside Apartments carried out since have meant it was safe for them to return.

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As well as CCTV coverage and 24-hour patrols to identify potential fire risks there are to be individual risk assessments for everyone living in the three buildings and a new evacuation strategy, the council said.

Residents are also to get advice on minimising fire risks and the council is working with West Yorkshire Fire Service, it said.

There are 43 flats in Harold Wilson Court and and a total of 194 flats in the Berry Brow Buildings managed by Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing.

Councillor Cathy Scott said: "Recent specialist advice tells us we may need to make changes to some of the materials used on these buildings.

"Before we can carry out major works, we are taking extra precautions to make sure every resident is safe."

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