RESIDENTS of two Poole tower blocks have expressed dismay at hearing they face at least 40 weeks of building work to replace already new cladding.

The plan for Sterte Court was previously reported in the Echo, but some residents heard the details for the first time at a meeting on Tuesday.

Extensive work to replace the cladding took place in 2015, but since then that work has been revealed as substandard, and questions have been raised over fire safety following the Grenfell Tower disaster.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, wrote the Echo to say: "Forty-four weeks of doom, gloom and dust for Sterte Court residents."

She said Borough of Poole and Poole Housing Partnership, which run the blocks, should compensate residents for the inconvenience.

"The rivets on the cladding are defective and in the past one panel fell off, fortunately no injuries were caused.

"But not just the original contractors at fault – the council building inspectors signed off the work that was clearly defective, now the poor residents face nearly a year of repair work.

"Both blocks will be encased in scaffolding which in turn will be covered in sheeting. Windows will be obscured and, if another summer like last year, it will look like two giant 'boil in the bags'."

She added: "Given the abysmal failure of duty of care in the past, all steps and, yes, money should now be in place to compensate the residents, not subject them to a summer, Christmas and spring of doom, gloom and dust."

PHP says the work will begin in late spring this year.

It says "all insulation, cladding and fittings will be removed and brand new fitted".

The original cladding project won an award for "helping to create greener homes and reduce fuel poverty".

A report to original contractor Engie and PHP, published last year, found the issues were caused by “poor workmanship” by sub-contractors employed by Engie.

Work to install new panels is estimated to cost up to £2 million, with £500,000 set aside by the council as a contribution.

Borough of Poole has insisted the current panels – assessed to have limited combustibility – meet fire safety requirements, but the new panels will be "non-combustible".

Councillor Karen Rampton, cabinet member for housing, has said the upgrade shows the borough is taking a “belt and braces” approach to fire safety.

A sprinkler system will also be installed.