Building at risk of collapse sparks exclusion zone

An exclusion zone including road closures has been put in place around a residential block at risk of collapsing.

Plymouth City Council said a 27m (88.5ft) exclusion zone had been put in place around Evolution Cove block, in Dunford Street, in the Stonehouse area, to protect the public.

It said there was a risk the building, or part of it, could collapse.

Nearby residents in properties in Emma Street Ope have been made aware of the risk and encouraged to temporarily vacate their properties.

The council said residents wanting to leave their properties to look at options such as staying with family or friends, but people who had nowhere else to stay would be supported by the authority.

It has closed Emma Place Ope, a section of Emma Place, a section of Barrack Place and a section of Durnford Street.

The council said: "The decision to implement an exclusion area was made following an assessment of the potential risk of a collapse, or partial collapse, to nearby residents, pedestrians and road users."

Strategic director of adults, health and communities Gary Walbridge said asking residents to leave their homes and closing roads was not a decision "taken lightly".

He said: "The information we have is that there is a potential serious risk to the public if we keep the area open.

"The safety of residents, pedestrians and drivers must come first.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and will work with the building's managers and our partners to reopen the roads and nearby properties once there is assurance that the building has been made safe."

The Evolution Cove building was vacated on the 20 March by Centrick, which manages the block, after structural concerns were identified relating to cracking within the concrete frame in the car park.

Residents of the housing complex were ordered to leave their homes after surveyors warned part of the building could be at risk of collapse.

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