Barking: Health and Safety Executive looking at balcony flaws

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed it is looking into the circumstances of a balcony collapse in Barking, following a BBC investigation.

One balcony partly collapsed at Weavers Quarter in east London, and concerns were raised about three others.

The HSE said it was contacting Barking and Dagenham Council "to understand the circumstances... and what role if any HSE might have investigating it".

The council has been contacted for a response.

Following the balcony collapse on the £41m estate in November, 77 balconies were shored up with scaffolding, and residents were told not to walk on them in case they also crumbled.

Tests carried out on behalf of the BBC on the partially collapsed balcony found the materials used were made from plywood more suitable for indoor use, and were constructed using "weak" glue - which may have been used in other balconies on the estate.

Multi-national construction firm Bouygues UK said there appeared to be discrepancies between the materials used and the specified design it sent to a subcontractor.

It comes as the resident whose balcony partially collapsed in November spoke out for the first time, on condition of anonymity.

He said the experience was "scary on all fronts", adding he worried what could have happened if the collapse had not happened in late autumn.

"I could have been on the balcony if it was summer. Or even worse, someone could have been underneath when the balcony collapsed," he explained.

The man's balcony materials were the ones tested for the investigation; and he said he was surprised when the tests found "they should never have used that material outside".

He said: "It makes me feel - how is it possible? How did the builders get away with the inferior quality?

"If they use this stuff, what other stuff has been used in my house?"

In response to the BBC investigation, Bouygues UK said that safety in its buildings was its number one priority and the design and materials were carefully considered by their professional consultants and the approving authorities.

It also confirmed the balconies on the estate were prefabricated offsite by a subcontractor and "the materials used may not be those that were specified in the design", adding: "We take this extremely seriously."

The firm has apologised for the incident and the distress caused to residents.

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