Stockport Council slam ‘unacceptable’ delays from owners of flood-hit apartment building

More than 400 residents had to be evacuated from the apartment block after extreme weather hit the region on New Year's Day. Credit: MEN Media

A council has criticised the "unacceptable" lack of response from the management company and owner of an apartment building flooded on New Year’s Day - leaving many residents in “complete crisis".

Residents living in Meadow Mill in Stockport, Greater Manchester, remain without electricity, heating, and water, more than a week after they were evacuated from the building.

Leader of Stockport Council, Councillor Mark Hunter, and Chief Executive Michael Cullen have written to the “organisations we believe are responsible” to "act swiftly to provide the support and information residents need".

They added that the delay in restoring utilities was "unacceptable" and owners Arwal Investments and management firm CERT needed to help residents, "many of whom are now in complete crisis".

More than 400 people had to be evacuated from the converted mill on New Year's Day after the building's car park and lower floors were flooded, cutting off water and power supplies and leaving residents stranded.

The councillors claim people living in the apartments are struggling without clear guidance on insurance claims or temporary accommodation, with some forced to pay for hotel accommodation "up front".

However, they added that "desperation is growing" with many residents now reporting that financially they have to move back in to the building without electricity, water or appropriate safety measures in place to protect them.

Residents were trapped in the building after flood water submerged the first floor and car park. Credit: MEN Media

"It is now over a week since the flood," the councillors said, "and more delay and lack of certainty over temporaryaccommodation arrangements will be of cold comfort to the residents, many of whom are now in complete crisis.

"We would urge all parties to act swiftly, as they should have done from the start, to provide the residents affected with the information and practical assistance they need as a result of having to leave their homes."

A CERT spokesperson said they have been communicating with flat owners and landlords "daily" since New Year's Day and they aim to "have the power back on in communal landlord areas" by Monday, 13 January.

In a statement, CERT said: "We understand that the uncertainty around when residents can return to their homes, and whether they will be reimbursed for their personal costs since the event is very difficult and confusing, and we are sympathetic to their position.

"Our communications have been issued daily with the intention of keeping all parties informed of the most recent position."

ITV News has also approached AWAL Investments Ltd and AXA insurance for comment.

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