Joint statement from Newlon Housing Trust and Galliford Try Partnerships regarding Rivers Apartments

24th Jun 2017

Newlon Housing Trust and its contractor Galliford Try Partnerships take extremely seriously the health and safety of all residents and users of our buildings.

When originally constructed between 2012 and 2015, Rivers Apartments was fitted with a cladding system that received all the appropriate statutory approvals required including building regulations and building warranty.

The building is of a modern design incorporating a wide range of advanced fire control measures including a sprinkler system in every flat, fire-fighting lift, smoke ventilation shafts, fire protection lobbies and secured exit routes. Additional safety measures include a wet riser, emergency lighting, emergency power, fire detectors and weekly health and safety patrols to ensure all active and passive fire equipment is in good order and to report any repair requirements.


Following the tragic events at Grenfell Tower, Newlon and Galliford Try Partnerships commissioned expert consultants to determine if the cladding panels used on the main facades at Rivers Apartments were manufactured in the same way. We have now received advice that the panels are of the type over which concerns have been raised. As a precautionary measure we have decided to remove the cladding and replace it with a suitable, rigorously tested alternative.

We wish to assure our residents that we are doing everything possible to ensure they are safe while we replace the panels. We are implementing the requirements from the fire safety audit conducted by the Fire Brigade earlier this week and will continue to liaise with residents on a regular basis.

We will endeavour to carry out the upcoming works as early as possible including sourcing a suitable, approved alternative product for installation. The removal and replacement will be undertaken with minimal disruption to residents from the works.

We thank our residents for their patience and support at this difficult time.

Contacts for further enquiries

Joe Molloson, Head of Communications, Newlon Housing Trust – joe.molloson@newlon.org.uk

Melanie Bright MA MCIPR, Marketing & Communications Director, Galliford Try Partnerships – melanie.bright@gallifordtry.co.uk