Residents’ fears as more than 75 apartment complex balconies at risk of collapse

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery The balcony partially collapsed and scraps of metal could be seen hanging loosely open image in gallery Pieces of metal and rotted wood were seen in pieces outside the apartment complex entrance His partner, Preeti Atwal, said she didn’t feel safe and felt conscious using facilities such as the communal underground garage. Their floors were rotten and had to pay to get their flooring replaced.” open image in gallery Matt Lismore reported a balcony had partially collapsed in summer of 2021 - children’s toys can be seen on the balcony beneath open image in gallery Preeti Atwal, pictured with Mr Lismore, fears she may now be “imprisoned” in her home Housing association L&Q worked with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham to regenerate part of the then Gascoigne Estate, acting as a development manager and then leasing shared ownership flats in four buildings. A council spokesperson said: “On the evening of 11 November, the underside of a balcony’s facade on the Weaver’s Quarter estate in Barking collapsed. We will keep our residents updated on progress and have asked that they do not use their balconies further notice.” A spokesperson for Bouygues UK said: “Following the incident at Weaver’s Quarter Estate, where some soffit boards detached and fell from a balcony, our main concern has been ensuring residents’ safety.