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As regards repair plans, Blocks 1, 2 and 3 will
require routine maintenance as might be expected in buildings
of that age. Work has already started on this. Blocks 4, 7
and 8 require more extensive repairs which are already in
hand. Block 6 was in need of major renovation and repair, and
that work will be completed by May of this year. The
opportunity has been taken to bring the block up to present
day standards with upgraded services including a complete
rewiring, improved drainage and a communal TV aerial system.
Based on the experience of repairing Block 6, we
have discovered that the work involves a great deal of
inconvenience to tenants and is also very costly and
time-consuming. In the light of this, it has been decided to
redevelop some blocks although it would have been perfectly
possible to repair them.
Blocks 9, 10 and 11 are situated in one corner of
the estate, are joined together and form a very suitable area
for redevelopment. The opportunity will be taken to use the
latest design of blocks and to improve the layout and
facilities in the area. On the grounds of cost-effectiveness
and for the convenience of tenants, it is also a better
solution to redevelop rather than repair Block 5. A phased
programme of redevelopment will therefore be undertaken over
the next few years to replace Blocks 5, 9, 10 and 11.
As I have already emphasised, the structural safety
of these blocks is not a matter of concern.