SEVEN flat blocks in Morley Grove have been refurbished with major fire safety upgrades as the council continues to transform Harlow’s housing.

A number of fire safety measures were part of the refurbishment, with decoration to ceilings and walls with fire-retardant paint, wooden cladding being replaced with fire-retardant material and wooden balcony railings being replaced with steel. Cladding on the underside of porches was also replaced with fire-retardant materials.

Flat block entrance and communal doors were replaced with new fire-retardant doors, along with attached cupboard/store doors in communal areas.

In addition, the 56 flats within the blocks received new front doors.

The flat blocks are all five storeys high and were built around 1963. The extensive works programme follows a fire risk assessment and in-depth surveys.

The council is investing £120 million this financial year into it’s mission to transform Harlow’s housing, with many more flat blocks and schemes receiving major refurbishments and fire safety upgrades over the coming months.

Commenting on the works, Councillor David Carter, cabinet portfolio holder for housing, said:

“These were important works designed to greatly improve fire safety for the residents of these blocks and I am very pleased with the results. Not only does it reduce the risk of a fire spreading if one should unfortunately occur, but it has also improved the look of the blocks.

“I hope that the residents are also pleased with the completed works and that it gives them peace of mind.

“We are working hard to transform Harlow’s housing across all aspects of both our homes and, where possible, the housing that is provided by private developers, for Harlow families. This is all part of an ongoing programme of taking action to improve fire safety in our flat blocks across the town.”