Tenants outraged after moving into new build with ‘blocked fire exits’ and construction dust

Tenants who have moved into a council new-build say continuous construction dust and blocked fire exits pose serious health and safety risks.

Zkiah Smith was moved into Ignatius Sancho Road Estate in Ignatius Sancho Road, Kidbrooke, by Greenwich council in November 2024.

Despite only being completed last year, tenants say the social housing block is already showing signs of “serious failings”.

The 34-year-old said: “I’ve had worsening health issues including headaches, constant coughing and sneezing and sinus flare ups since moving in.”

The Ignatius Sancho Road Estate is part of a development of more than 400 new council properties being built, set to be complete by the end of next year.

With a flat overlooking an active building site, Ms Smith believes her symptoms have been triggered by continuous exposure to construction dust.

She said: “The side facing the public road has dust barriers and protection like the surrounding private homes and the David Lloyd gym. But the side facing council flats has been left exposed.”

Flats in all four blocks of the new development contain a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, designed to improve the indoor air quality.

But Ms Smith said: “I was never told about it and only found it later after I got ill. The welcome pack made no mention of tenants responsibility, no instructions on cleaning, replacing filters, or even how to locate the unit.”

After finding the MVHR on the ceiling, Ms Smith – who has mobility issues – had to ask someone else to reach it.

She said: “To my horror one filter was black and almost burnt-looking, one was thick with grey dust and a part was completely missing.”

Taking matters into her own hands, Ms Smith said she invested in two air purifiers.

She said: “Even with windows closed, my air purifier shows a red light signalling extremely poor air quality and must be run 24/7.

A spokesman from Greenwich council said it is the responsibility of tenants to ensure that dust or debris is cleaned from their vents.

He said: “Now we know of this accessibility issue, we’ll work with the tenant to ensure that our team makes themselves available to service their unit for them.”

Other reported issues on the estate include “repeated” fire door and fob failures, lift breakdowns, heating issues and a lack of accessibility for wheelchair users.

Another tenant, Julie Hogben, 43, said she was “disgusted” by the building’s fire safety issues.

She said: “After Grenfel lessons were not learnt.

“We have one way in one way out of the building. Our fire exit is our main entrance so when the main door jams shut we are forced to use the side exit which is in the bin room.

“But when the fire alarms go off a fire blanket comes down on that door so we are trapped in the building. If there was a fire we will not get out alive.”

Ms Hogben said she had raised her concerns with the housing officer but was ignored.

She said: “I am disabled and am being ignored at every complaint raised. It is really scary not knowing what is going to happen.”

A Greenwich council spokesman said: “We want to ensure all our residents have a safe and secure home that meets their needs and we apologise for any inconvenience caused to new tenants.

“We recognise the distress that some of the teething issues with the new doors have caused and we are working to address them as swiftly as possible.”

After reaching out to other tenants facing similar issues, Ms Smith began a campaign group on Instagram (@powertothepeasants) to call for a solution.

Pictured top: From left, Ignatius Sancho Road Estate tenants Suede, Lilah, Phoebe and Louis (Picture: Zkiah Smith)