Delays to replace unsafe cladding at Runcorn apartments The Decks

Remediation at The Deck is part of a national programme following the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, involving combustible cladding, that claimed 72 lives.

Contractors were scheduled to begin work on the first two blocks in May, following necessary internal and external surveying works by a Taylor Wimpey designated third-party contractor.

The process however identified unforeseen damp issues which will now be addressed as part of the remediation solution for the development.

Because of the damp, the anticipated deadline for the completion of remediation works has been extended to ensure the remedial work is robust.

Taylor Wimpey says it communicated this to residents in a monthly update on August 30, with remediation works expected to commence in October this year, and be complete in May 2026.

Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury says has been contacted by several leaseholders, ‘frustrated’ at what one called ‘intolerable delays’.

He said: “The Grenfell fire disaster led to the building safety scandal being exposed across the country, including at The Deck in Runcorn.

“Yet here we are seven years later, and my constituents are still living in unsafe conditions and in homes that are effectively unsellable.”

Mr Amesbury says leaseholders and residents are angry with developer Taylor Wimpey, and that delays are ‘exacerbating a rise in insurance premiums that had already sky-rocketed after defects were revealed’.

Cladding at The Decks (Image: Mike Amesbury MP)

He continued: “Insurance premiums at The Deck complex have increased from £36,000 in 2019 to £309,000 in 2024 largely because Taylor Wimpey built defective homes.

“All these delays in getting it fixed are adding thousands to the premium every year.

“It has got to the point where Taylor Wimpey must dip into its large pockets and contribute towards the insurance costs, because leaseholders – the innocent victims of this scandal – are really struggling to keep their heads above water.

“This whole sorry saga is having a detrimental impact on people’s finances and their mental health.”

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said that it is not responsible for contributing towards the insurance costs, and that the Financial Conduct Authority has set out a range of recommendations and other potential remedies to protect leaseholders from high insurance costs.

They also said that while it is unable to influence premiums set by insurers, it regularly highlights the issue of increasing insurance premiums with Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities officials, as this affects a significant number of apartment buildings.

The spokesman commented: “Resident safety will always be our top priority, and we acknowledge residents’ frustrations over the delays to remedial works at The Decks.

“As communicated to residents, the delays are due to the unforeseen need for additional but necessary surveying, which is now in its final stages.

“We apologise for the time it has taken to commence the remediation work, which is now scheduled to start in October.

“We will do all we can to make sure this is completed as quickly as possible, without compromising on the quality of works.”

They added that since the Grenfell tragedy, Taylor Wimpey has committed £333million to fund its remediation programme, and has a dedicated team in place that is ‘fully focused on completing works as quickly as possible for residents’.