A programme of tower block structural surveys is to begin in North Lanarkshire.

The three-phase initiative will get underway on towers in Motherwell and Airdrie from Monday, 24 July.

Features include:

• Phase 1 - inspection of external condition of the buildings. All remaining 44 blocks (four already complete) will have selective external panels removed to inspect the condition of the buildings and cladding systems.. This work will be completed by early September.

• Phase 2 - internal inspection of selective buildings (as some buildings are of the same construction). This will include internal inspections in common areas, fire escapes, service routes and void spaces.  This will also include some houses within the blocks. This work will be completed by the end of September/early October.

• Phase 3 - the remaining 44 tower blocks in North Lanarkshire will be given a full structural survey (four have already been surveyed). This could last up to 40 weeks starting from the end of September/ Early October.

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The local authority added none of the cladding systems on tower blocks is the same as the type used at Grenfell tower and its insulation material is made of mineral wool which is non-combustible.

Council Leader Jim Logue said a planned survey programme for all towers was already in place, however as a result of the Grenfell tragedy the work has been brought forward.

"The safety of our tenants is paramount and we take our responsibilities as a landlord very seriously," he said.

"In June last year four blocks in Coatbridge were surveyed as part of a planned programme of investment works in residential towers.

"Over the coming weeks and months, a structural survey programme will take place to check that the buildings are in good structural order and to check if repairs are required to the cladding systems.

"This work will be undertaken by qualified structural engineers and, where essential repair works are identified, they will be carried out as quickly as possible."

Robert Steenson, Assistant Chief Executive, said: "We will write to tenants to inform them about the planned work and continue to meet with tenants groups to update them regarding the survey work and provide general information and fire safety advice. 

"There will be minimum disruption to residents and their properties during the survey work and we expect the initial phase of work to be completed within a few weeks.

"Once the exterior surveys have been completed we will then carry out internal structural surveys, before full structural surveys take place on all blocks from the end of September."

(LM/MH)