High Rise improvement programme

• The High Rise Programme - an introduction
• Progress to date
• Next steps
• Planning the programme
• Timescales
• What works can I expect?
• Be involved

The High Rise Programme - an introduction

City West will be investing £20 million to improve four high rise blocks.

City West have a dedicated High Rise project team that will work with and support customers throughout the works. The lessons learnt in our flagship investment scheme at Barton Village in Eccles will enable the team to overcome any challenges.

LS Lowry’s famous use of ivory, black, vermillion, Prussian blue, yellow ochre and flake white will be captured in the Eccles skyline as all sides of four high rise blocks will be tastefully coloured using his signature palette.

The colour scheme will take into account the different angles from which they will be viewed with particular emphasis on the impact for people in the area.
The project will see some 349 homes refurbished and the latest energy efficient technology used at the four blocks comprising of Craunton, Cremer, Ewood and Kemball House.

EcoPods will be fitted to replace existing expensive electric storage heaters and the cascade boiler system, which uses the minimum amount of energy to heat homes and provide hot water, will cut fuel costs and carbon emissions by more than 40 per cent.

The EcoPod also features an innovative Building Management System (BMS) which will allow City West to support customers with their energy usage.

Energy efficient doors and windows will be fitted, structural repairs undertaken, insulated render fitted, grounds landscaped and communal areas will be refurbished at the 50-year-old blocks.

Progress to date

Following a contractor selection event with customers in July 2011, Forrest were selected as the contractor to carry out the next phase of the high rise programme at Ladywell Green in the centre of Eccles. Work has now started on the first of the four blocks, Kemball House, and City West will work in partnership with Forrest to ensure customers are supported throughout the works.

Next steps

The work will take place in two phases. Phase 1 is now underway and will take around 12 months to complete. This will include over cladding the building, new windows, balcony enclosures, the installation of the EcoPod heating system and work to communal entrances.
Phase 2 will then follow and will include all internal works.

Planning the programme

The factors involved in prioritising the blocks include looking at opportunities for additional funding to ensure customers receive the best possible standard of investment works. We also need to ensure that blocks with the most urgent structural issues and the highest number of empty properties are dealt with in a timely manner.

A vital factor that will be taken into account is the need to relocate customers if works cannot be carried out with customers in situ. City West will also consider the volume of works being managed at any one time with the aim of delivering a programme that delivers best value for money for City West and our customers.

Timescales

Spring 2011

• Customer launch events
• Survey work completed and reviewed
• Outline programme produced

Summer 2011

• Customers informed of phasing of the works planned
• Phase 1 architect and contractor selection
• Phase 1 design development
• Customer consultation process
• Planning application submitted
• Update for remaining blocks

Winter 2011

• Phase 1 start on site

What works can I expect?

As a minimum City West will deliver:

• Structural repairs and enveloping works
• Full over cladding and new windows
• Improve external landscaping
• Installation of new lifts with modern height standards
• Provision of CCTV and controlled access
• New heating systems
• Full upgrading of kitchen, bathrooms and wiring
• Upgrading of communal area and facilities
• Full DDA access compliance for entrances and communal areas

Be involved

We want customers to be involved in shaping the improvements they want. Customer Steering Groups will be established for each project and various consultation events will be held. We will work with our customers to ensure the improvements meet their individual needs.

For more information see our Frequently Asked Questions. 

You can also contact Victoria Wright, Programme Manager, on 0161 605 7250 or email victoria.wright@citywest.org.uk.