Ipswich: Fire service to meet with Cardinal Lofts residents

On March 14, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service released a second prohibition notice as new defects have come to light at the building in Foundry Lane. 

The residents said their actions will escalate unless a meeting with the building owner and fire service is arranged by the end of the week. 

Toby Gray, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service’s area manager for prevention and protection, said: "Now that we have learned more about the building’s defects, we can provide an update to residents, so are in the process of arranging a meeting later this week.  

"This wouldn’t have been beneficial to them previously, as we didn’t have the information needed to be able to answer their questions, meaning any meeting could have potentially caused more confusion, which we are keen to avoid. 

"We appreciate that residents of Cardinal Lofts want answers and share their frustrations about the delay in getting these." 

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has commented on the situation, saying: "Grey GR and Railpen have badly let down the leaseholders and tenants in Cardinal Lofts.

"The safety of residents must be the first priority and they must be safely housed and properly looked after. They also deserve clarity about how and when they will at last be able to get on with their lives." 

Ipswich MP Tom Hunt issued an emergency question in Parliament, demanding help for the residents. 

MP Tom Hunt, House of Commons (Image: House of Commons)

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove, said that although pension funds such as Railpen have fiduciary responsibilities, he agrees that they must put the residents first. 

MP Gove also shared his hopes to soon visit Ipswich.