TRAFFORD Housing Trust (THT) has issued a statement to the Messenger about the current situation at its eight tower blocks across Trafford.

The concerns were raised by former fire officer Phillip Murphy, who lives in Stretford House, but its response applies to all of the eight tower blocks it manages.

Meanwhile, if Messenger readers want to know more they should go to the trust link where they can read all the latest work and information the trust is undertaking: http: www.traffordhousingtrust.co.uk/

A trust spokesman said: “Mr Murphy, with his experience and knowledge with regards to fire safety, has made a welcome contribution to this process. His report has been circulated and reviewed by our senior management team and the fire service as part of our overall review of block safety.

“With regards to our cladding, which alongside every other sample sent for testing across the country has failed, we can confirm we have already instructed our contractors to advise us on the best way to remove it safely or replace it. We are working with the fire service and industry experts on the best solution for our particular blocks and expect to have this within days.

“Obviously fire safety is more than just looking at cladding (and we are fortunate in that our buildings are deemed much lower risk because they are only 15 per cent covered) and we continue to examine our high rise blocks to ensure that all necessary safety measures are in place.

“A review of these processes and procedures earlier this week by Greater Manchester Fire Service has concluded that as a result of our actions our blocks are safe to live in and they are satisfied with the measures we have put in place.

"This includes 24-hour wardens providing a ‘wakeful watch’ in all eight towers who would raise the alarm, and manage the building evacuation, in the unlikely event of a fire.

The trust spokesman says all 8 blocks will now be subject to a Level 4 fire inspection upon which the trust will act to carry out further recommendations. It has also set up a High Rise Resident group to ensure their voices will be heard in the future.