North East Labour MEPs, Jude Kirton-Darling and Paul Brannen, join fire safety alliance to make buildings secure after the fire tragedy that shook the nation.
The alliance, called Fire Safe Europe, is asking the European Institutions to develop a coordinated approach in ensuring the fire safety of buildings and better fire testing methods for façades that reflect reality.
Jude Kirton-Darling MEP, who supported the campaign, said:
“In the North East some high-rises have already been stripped of cladding to reassure residents, but shocking statistics show that over 100 buildings across the country failed recent fire safety tests.
“The need for a coordinated approach is now more vital than ever and I have been collaborating with Fire Safe Europe to push for better EU policy in this respect, one that the UK can replicate in order to prevent this type of disaster from ever happening again.
Labour MEP for the North East, Paul Brannen, also commented: “The Grenfell Tower tragedy was the harrowing aftermath of inappropriate cladding that passed fire safety tests – a tragedy that could have been avoided.
“I support the work of Fire Safe Europe to ensure that adequate testing is carried out and I am delighted to see they also back more building with wood. By using products such as Cross Laminated Timber which has excellent fire resistance, safe wooden buildings can be erected at a height and scale previously impossible. ”