Workers rise to challenge of Smethwick tower block revamp
They have been a feature of the Black Country skyline for years, but these tower blocks in Smethwick are beginning to look very different as a multi-million pound project to spruce them up along with hundreds of other council homes gathers pace.
The scaffolding that currently surrounds the buildings is evidence of the scale of the work currently ongoing at the high-rise blocks, known as The Crofts, in Smethwick.
The buildings in Windmill Lane are home to around 250 people. Their flats are all being upgraded.
Workers are carrying out improvements more than a hundred feet in the air, with part of the project seeing the dated tower blocks being fitted with new roofs.
Improvements are also being made at estates in Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Tipton and West Bromwich as part of the £50 million scheme to revamp 6,000 council homes in Sandwell.
Houses are being fitted with new kitchens and bathrooms, electrical rewiring and heating systems, along with new roofing and windows. Contractors are currently focusing on homes in Smethwick and Wednesbury.
Modern balconies and windows will be installed at the high-rise blocks. They will also get external cladding, in different colours. It is hoped the work to improve insulation will help to reduce fuel bills.
The project is expected to take two years to complete and will be finished in 2016. Regeneration specialist Keepmoat is carrying out the major improvement programme.
Councillor Steve Eling, deputy leader of Sandwell Council, said he was pleased with how the work was progressing.
He said: "The tower blocks are being fitted with outside cladding and the main purpose of that is to improve the thermal efficiency of the buildings and by doing that you reduce people's heating bills, and the best way to do that is by insulating the outside.
"It makes a big difference to people and changes the visual appearance of the place as well.
"There is also a new housing development around the blocks so it has transformed the area. It is not just the tower blocks themselves, the whole area is improving. It makes the area look better and improves people's living conditions."
