No hot water for residents after month-long evacuation

Residents of an apartment block evacuated in April because part of the building was at risk of collapse have now been left without a gas supply - affecting services including hot water - after being allowed back last week.

A 27m (88.5ft) exclusion zone was enforced on Evolution Cove, Plymouth, on 17 April due to structural damage in the 64-unit block.

The city council said "we felt it was safe" for residents to return from 26 May when the fire service and council were "content" the "temporary propping solution" in the basement parking was "satisfactory remediation work".

Owner Grey GR said it had "arranged access to showering and welfare facilities at a local leisure facility".

A Grey GR spokesperson said the works had been "completed to schedule" but there had been "unexpected challenges" restoring gas supply to individual flats.

"Central gas to the building has been restored, however, inspectors identified unforeseen concerns within individual apartments – in respect of pipework, appliances, and maintenance.

"We understand this is frustrating for residents."

People were told in March they would have to leave their homes after engineers identified cracks in key structural beams within the building's underground car park.

They were told to pack essential belongings, including medication and important documents, as access to the building would be restricted throughout the works.

Grey GR said at the time the building was also undergoing a programme of repair work to address fire safety issues.

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