Tenants living in soon to be regenerated towers are prepared to wait 'as long as it takes' to block the removal of fire doors that they believe will compromise the safety of their children.
Residents of John Walsh and Fred Wigg towers in Leytonstone are standing outside the front of their home to block access to Ascham Homes workers intending to remove the doors today (September 21).
Ascham Homes gave written notice to tenants that they would be removing the doors, which they consider to be a fire escape hazard, but have so far failed to show up.
Janet Francis has lived in the block for nearly 30 years and is helping block access to the towers with other tenants.
She said: “We have to block the doors.
“Ascham Homes could come back tomorrow or Wednesday at any time so we have to be ready.
“We have told tenants to not open their front doors, Ascham Homes are relying on people who may not have the best English or understand their rights to get access.
“They are going to try and wear us out but we aren’t going anywhere.”
Denisa Anders said that nearly everyone living in the block was against the removal of the fire doors.
“I won’t be able to open my windows because my neighbours will look in”, she said.
“I am angry at my landlord because he didn’t tell me at all this was going to happen or that the blocks will be refurbished.
“If I want to have sex with my boyfriend children could look through my window and see, it is not normal.”
LaVaughn Jeffers has lived Fred Wigg tower for 15 years but is now looking to move out “as soon as possible”.
She said: “You cannot substitute safety with privacy. They are the same thing. A home is not a home without privacy.
“Ascham Homes have been a horror in our lives. We don’t know their deeper motives for doing this.
“It is all very well to make us leave if you give us good homes as an alternative, but they are making our lives miserable whilst we are living here.
“Security is so important to us especially with our children. They can wander off easily now and could be snatched up.
“It affects everyone around here.
Yadigar Yildiriim said she was angry at Ascham Homes for letting the tower blocks get into such a bad state.
She said: “There is so much other work they could have done in the last years but they haven’t bothered. It is not right for humans to be treated this way.
“We will wait here as long as it takes I am from Kurdistan, I know how to protest. I have to be here.”
A four year project to refurbish Fred Wigg and John Walsh towers is set to begin in the next year.
It will see a cut from 234 social housing units to 200.
The plan, which the council say is supported by majority of the residents, is to build new flats in a block between the towers and sell some on the open market to raise £30 million towards the refurbishment.
Ascham Homes have been approached for comment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel