News / Barton House
Barton House residents protest inside City Hall
Residents of Barton House gathered inside City Hall to “hold the council accountable” for their treatment following the evacuation of the tower block on Tuesday evening.
Many people claim that they have received little communication from the council and had no idea their homes were unsafe.
Cabinet members were invited to meet the residents at the protest organised by Acorn on Friday morning.
is needed now More than ever
Barton House residents are demanding an independent investigation into what has happened, including a wider study into the safety of tower blocks across the city, and the rehousing of residents locally on the same rent or less.
Residents from other tower blocks are now expressing concerns regarding the safety of their families and their homes.
The protest ended abruptly as Acorn members received news that Bristol City Council officials were at Barton House, with the first rumour that residents’ property was being removed from homes swiftly debunked by the council saying that only three households have agreed to have their possessions put into storage with nothing removed from other flats.
Barton House protesters gathered inside and outside City Hall with home made signs – Photo: Mia Vines Booth
Yasmin has lived in Barton House for more than 20 years, and until Tuesday shared a flat with her mother and one-year-old son. The trio are currently sharing one hotel room.
Yasmin said: “My mum’s a vulnerable person, I’m epileptic, yesterday I had a seizure, my mum had no idea where I was.
“Our hotel room is damp on the floor, soaking wet, dirty.
“The food for the children in the hotel? Nothing. How can you expect kids to eat curry with bones in? My son is one years old.
“What about the mums and dads that don’t get paid till two, three weeks time?
“It is unacceptable. Shame on the council!”
Barton House residents are calling for an independent investigation – photo: Blaise Cloran
Barton House resident, Shaban Ali, a father of two and a member of Acorn, said: “For 48 hours I was left in the dark with no information. I have only just been offered alternative accommodation.”
Addressing his fellow residents gathered in the foyer of City Hall, Ali said: “Many of you have been left unable to work and some of you have been torn away from your communities.
“We have no received an adequate opportunity to speak to decision makers from the council, so we are creating the opportunity here today.
“How are supposed to trust the councils words again? They have taken risks with our lives.”
Main photo: Blaise Cloran
Read next:
- Rees in Rwanda: ‘I’m leading’
- Fear and uncertainty in wake of sudden evacuation of Barton House
- Barton House residents in a state of shock, panic and disbelief
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
