THE UK Government has confirmed Grenfell Tower is to be demolished, eight years after the fire that killed 72 people.
Deputy PM Angela Rayner has met bereaved families and survivors of the Grenfell tragedy, and written to both them and residents in the immediate community, to share her decision that the tower will be ‘carefully taken down to the ground’.
In November last year, Ms Rayner explained to families that she would listen to their views and consider expert information before making a decision on the future of the Tower. The UK Government said it is clear from conversations that it ‘remains a sacred site’ but there is not a consensus about what should happen to it.
Being able to see the Tower every day helps some people continue to feel close to those they lost. For others it is a painful reminder of what happened.
Engineering advice says the Tower is ‘significantly damaged’. It remains stable because of the measures put in place to protect it but even with installation of additional props, the condition of the building will continue to worsen over time. Engineers also advise it is not practicable to retain many of the floors of the building in place as part of a memorial that must last in perpetuity.
Taking the engineering advice into account the deputy PM concluded it would not be fair to keep some floors of the building that are significant to some families, whilst not being able to do so for others and knowing that, for some, this would be deeply upsetting.
In the coming months, a specialist contractor will be confirmed to develop a detailed plan for taking the Tower down.
