Emergency Scaffolding Erected at Brierley Hill Tower Block
Emergency measures were swiftly implemented at a high-rise block of flats in Brierley Hill after council workers discovered dangerously loose glass panels on the roof. The incident prompted Dudley Council to take immediate action to protect residents of the 13-floor Dean Court building on Chapel Street.
Immediate Safety Response
Following a routine daily inspection last month, a section of the vertical glazing wall at the top of the building was found to be unstable. The council responded by installing protective scaffolding at the base of the tower to shield the entrance and any pedestrians from potential falling glass.
Simultaneously, the loose panels on the roof were secured using ratchet straps to prevent them from falling. A spokesperson for Dudley Council confirmed that an external structural engineer inspected the site on October 3 and subsequently deemed it safe.
Ongoing Monitoring and Long-Term Solutions
The authority has now instituted a regime of weekly inspections by qualified staff at Dean Court to ensure the structure remains secure. Furthermore, engineers are examining other buildings on Chapel Street as a precautionary measure, although the council believes this to be an isolated incident.
The council is working with structural engineers to design a permanent solution. Further work is planned before the protective scaffolding can be removed, with the entire project expected to be completed within a month. The cost of the emergency scaffolding has not been disclosed, with the council citing commercial sensitivity but affirming its commitment to achieving value for money for taxpayers.
