Residents of an Ipswich block of flats deemed to no longer safe for occupation have staged a protest demanding the building's owners fix their homes.
Campaign group Ipswich Cladiators has hung a banner from the balcony of a Cardinal Lofts flat which reads: "Railpen: Start the work."
Campaign group Ipswich Cladiators has hung a banner from the balcony of a Cardinal Lofts flat which reads: Railpen. Start the work. (Image: Newsquest)
The action comes three months after a prohibition notice was served to residents of floors seven to nine of the Foundry Lane flats due to fire risk, before all residents were asked to leave their homes at the end of February, as the building was deemed "no longer safe for occupation".
A spokesperson for Grey GR, who are owned by Railpen, said they "respect" residents' desire to express their upset.
The banner is hung from the balcony of mother-of-two Juli Kuvika's flat, where she has lived for 15 years.
Mother-of-two Juli Kuvika with her son Nico. (Image: Newsquest)
"We want the people responsible to hear us, because we've been screaming for help," she said.
"This is my home. I'm losing my home."
Ms Kuvika, 49, said one of the biggest problems has been the lack of communication, meaning she constantly feels left in the dark.
Ipswich Cladiators members hung the banner from the balcony of a Cardinal Lofts flat. (Image: Newsquest)
"Where do I go from here?" she said.
"This is the worst year of my life. I just want to know where I stand."
READ MORE: Cardinal Lofts residents meet with fire service
Alex Dickin, another Cardinal Lofts resident and founder of Ipswich Cladiators, said they wanted to send a "clear message" to Railpen, the company who owns the building.
The banner reads: Railpen. Start the work. (Image: Newsquest)
"We've used Railpen's logo and theming to send out a clear message," said Mr Dickin.
"They must fix our homes. They must fix our homes now."
Several residents gathered across the road to view the banner as it was being put up and an Ipswich Cladiators member used a megaphone to broadcast the following message to the spectators below: "Safe homes Railpen. Start the work now Railpen."
An Ipswich Cladiators member used a megaphone to broadcast the following message to the spectators: Safe homes Railpen. Start the work now Railpen. (Image: Newsquest)
A spokesperson for Grey GR said: "Grey cares about the wellbeing and safety of residents at Cardinal Lofts and have always acted on new information in their best interests, including the difficult decision to ask everyone to evacuate the building in February.
"Since then, we have acted quickly to provide residents with alternative accommodation, with the majority now in apartment accommodation, and the remaining in short-term accommodation while we source accommodation which suits their needs.
"Leaseholders and residents want us to remediate Cardinal Lofts, and Grey is fully committed to remediating and to return residents to safer homes.
"Recent surveys, including further intrusive investigations this week, are as a result of our ongoing commitment and are informing the development of remediation plans.
"This is a very challenging time for residents, and we are sincerely sorry for the disruption, and we respect their desire to express their upset at this situation.
"This building’s development history is extremely complex, and the developers have much to answer for.
"We continue to try and engage constructively with all those involved and provide regular updates to leaseholders and residents. Whilst the property is considered unsafe, we ask all residents to comply with the Prohibition Order and leave the building."
They added out of the 68 households, 47 have been provided with "suitable" longer-term accommdation so far.
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