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Allotments benefit as Westminster removes balcony timber

22 Oct 19 Westminster City Council is removing timber decking from 750 council flats and recycling it for use in allotments.

Timber decking is being removed from the balconies of 750 council flats in Westminster
Timber decking is being removed from the balconies of 750 council flats in Westminster

Six high-rise residential tower blocks on the Warwick and Brindley estates, known as the Little Venice Towers, are having the timber from their balconies removed as a safety measure.

While the balconies came up to previous fire safety standards, new advice was published after the Grenfell Tower fire, forcing the council to take action.

Westminster is spending £3m to replace timber decking panels and replace them with concrete tiles.

The 3,000 square metres of decking is not going to waste; instead some of it is being used in allotments on the estate, and the rest will be recycled through social enterprise Community Wood Recycling.

Cllr Andrew Smith, Westminster City Council cabinet member for housing services, said:  “The timber may be no good for a balcony, but it’s great for an allotment.”

The timber that is removed is being put to good use in local allotments
The timber that is removed is being put to good use in local allotments

One tenant, Klaus Davidson, said: “I have been able to help a lot of residents on the allotment by making use of the old wooden decking boards. They are very useful in creating beds for the plants.”

Last year the council removed all of the ACM cladding from the Little Venice towers, and will start work to re-insulate them later this year by applying a completely non-combustible alternative that was agreed with residents.

The baclonies are now getting slip-resistant concrete tiles instead
The baclonies are now getting slip-resistant concrete tiles instead

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MPU

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