More flat blocks evacuated over structural issues

Residents in two more blocks of flats in east London have been told to evacuate their homes a week after three other blocks of flats were evacuated due to "serious structural issues" in the buildings.

Newham Council said it had set up a rest centre to support residents from Thanet Tower and Prince Court in Canning Town, who were told to evacuate on Friday.

It follows the evacuation of 221 households from Sovereign Tower, Centurion Tower and St Vincent Court on 22 October.

Prime Property Management, which manages the buildings, previously said: "We recognise the enormity of asking anyone to leave their home. These are not decisions we have made lightly, but... safety is our immediate priority."

In a statement on Saturday, Newham Council said: "Following further structural safety concerns, we have been informed that residents of Thanet Tower and Prince Court have been advised to leave their homes.

"Newham Council is working with Prime Property Management and other partners to support affected residents.

"Residents of Centurion Tower, St Vincent Court, Sovereign Tower, Thanet Tower and Prince Court buildings must not return to their properties until further notice."

The council said it had served dangerous structural notices for all of the buildings, "in accordance with its duties".

It is operating a rest centre at Beckton Community Centre.

Following the evacuation of St Vincent Court, Centurion Tower and Sovereign Tower last month, Prime Property Management had said structural engineers would urgently investigate whether similar risks were present in the transfer slab beneath Prince Court and Thanet Tower.

The company was contacted for further comment.

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