Trafford gives cladding update 

A project to replace dangerous aluminium composite material cladding from five residential blocks managed by Trafford Housing Trust in Old Trafford is due to complete in October after a series of delays.

The project began in spring 2019 and was originally scheduled to complete in April 2020. However, several issues have held up the delivery of the scheme, according to a report to Trafford Council’s scrutiny committee.

The trust cited “reduced labour due to Covid-19″ as one of the reasons for the delay. 

Larry Gold, chief executive of Trafford Housing Trust, said: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our number one priority. We recognise and would like to apologise to customers that the process took longer than we would have hoped. 

“There was a limited number of specialists and contractors to carry out the work, which resulted in a bottleneck across the housing industry, delaying the start of the project.”

Seddon Construction has removed the defective cladding from Pickford Court, Grafton Court, Clifford Court, Empress Court and Princess Court.

The installation of new cladding at Princess Court and Empress Court, located off Chester Road, is underway and due to conclude in July. 

Further south off Chorlton Road, work to fit replacement cladding at Clifford Court, Grafton Court, and Pickford Court is at varying stages of completion.  

Work at Clifford Court is due to complete in August, followed by Grafton in September, and Pickford in October. 

A total of 435 properties across the five blocks are occupied.

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “We understand the concerns of residents with regard to the cladding and are working hard to address their worries.

“Trafford Council has been in regular contact with Trafford Housing Trust since the Grenfell tragedy and has urged them to progress with the cladding replacement. We recognise the steps that Trafford Housing Trust has taken in the meantime.”