Fire safety works to begin in Ipswich on higher-risk council buildings following £9.6 million investment

Fire safety works are set to begin on council buildings with a higher risk as part of a £9.6 million project.

Cllr Alasdair Ross, Ipswich's lead for housing, asked executive members yesterday evening to appoint a contractor to carry out fire safety works across several buildings in Ipswich.

The works are needed as part of fire regulations brought on by the Government in 2021 and 2022 as a result of the Grenfell Tower fire.

It follows a council decision back in October to invest £9.6 million into the works and procure a major contractor to carry them out.

Cllr Ross said it was a really important piece of work to make sure residents were not only safe but also proud to have somewhere they could call home.

He said: “We’re ready to actually appoint a contractor and get on with the work — this is going to be a long-term project over a number of years.”

The new contractor will carry out the project's first phase, focusing on the highest risk buildings in the borough, including Holywells Court, Reydon House and Walton House.

According to council papers, East Villa, which had been included as part of the first phase, has been removed and added to the next phase due to a need for additional work.

The works could include anything from new ventilation systems, fire alarms, sprinklers and smoke control upgrades.

The contract, with a maximum duration of three years, was unanimously backed by councillors