TWO tower blocks in Poole have finally been stripped of all the unsafe cladding as part of ongoing remedial works.

More than four years on from the Grenfell Tower fire, the removal of non-compliant cladding on council-owned Sterte Court has been completed.

However, removing the cladding is not the only issue for the two apartment blocks as a string of remaining remedial works must be completed to ensure the building is fire safe.

The £3.8million programme of work is being carried out by United Living and began in January, 2021.

The buildings’ previous cladding system, which was replaced and completed in 2015, had to be removed due to workmanship issues and because the materials no longer met the current building regulations.

Councillor Robert Lawton, portfolio holder for homes said: “The work to complete the stripping of the existing cladding has been completed on both blocks at Sterte Court.

“Focus has now moved onto undertaking remedial works on the concrete substructure before the new cladding can be attached to the buildings.

“Timelines for delivery of the remaining work are currently being confirmed with the contractor but it is anticipated that the work will be completed sometime in early 2022.

“All works to date are within the agreed budget set out by the council.”

A number of fire safety measures are still in place at the nine-storey blocks to ensure the ongoing safety of residents and to meet the current requirements of the latest Fire Risk Assessment.

This includes a change of fire evacuation procedure – to full evacuation if the alarm is raised. There is also a 24-hour waking watch and a completely new sprinkler system has also been installed along with fire alarm systems in communal areas and the hallway of each flat.