Emergency work has taken place on another dangerously crumbling shopfront in Green Lanes – just a week after lumps of masonry crashed 40ft to the ground, miraculously missing shoppers below.
Haringey Council sent in surveyors to assess the condition of decorative Victorian facades along the Harringay stretch of Green Lanes at the weekend, using a fire engine’s hydraulic platform to reach the top of the four-storey shopping parade.
They had to remove loose debris there and then from one building to make it safe, and undertook a visual inspection of other properties in the street.
The action came after a triangular crest of masonry crashed to the pavement in the middle of the afternoon on Friday, October 28. No-one was hurt.
Cllr Alan Strickland, cabinet member for economic development, said: “We are writing to the owners and occupiers of similar properties in Green Lanes to alert them to what happened and remind then that it is their responsibility to check that their buildings are in a safe condition.
“We are also carrying out visual inspections of buildings in Green Lanes from the footpath and will contact the owners of any property we believe requires a more detailed inspection.”
If the council has to order emergency works to safeguard a building, it charges the costs to the owner.
Matthew Bradby, chairman of conservation group Tottenham Civic Society, said the disrepair is likely due to lack of knowledge and expertise in dealing with such buildings, combined with some landlords’ reluctance.
He said: “Haringey’s Building Control needs to work with property owners as a matter of urgency to restore these buildings before someone gets killed.
“Heritage Lottey Funding must surely be available to restore these important 19th Century shopping parades under the Townscape Heritage Initiative.
“This would dramatically improve the appearance of the area, help economic regeneration and, crucially, make the buildings safe.”
* Any property owner concerned about masonry or render on their property can contact Haringey Council Building Control for advice on 020 8489 1000 or email [email protected].
HORNSEY JOURNAL
