Government update outlines “sensitive” plans for Grenfell Tower site

The Government has noted that Grenfell Tower will be “carefully taken down” behind the white outer wrapping. The approach will respect the unique circumstances of the tragedy in addition to the significance of the building.

Work will start at the top of the building and progress downwards floor by floor. The expectation is that each floor will take around one month to carefully take down. Smaller parts of the structure will be brought down inside the building. Larger elements, such as the external columns, will be removed in sections and taken down in covered containers outside of the building by crane.

A crane will be installed on-site at the east side of Grenfell Tower. When the work starts, this crane will be used to lift materials from the structure and into lorries to transport it away from the site.

The Government “understands that all elements from Grenfell Tower are sacred to families” and, as such, will be treated with respect and care. The Government is committed to working with the independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission and the community to realise the community’s vision for the Grenfell Tower Memorial. Elements from Grenfell Tower will be made available for inclusion as features in the Grenfell Tower Memorial if the Grenfell community wishes that to be the case.

The Government has observed: “We will sensitively remove, preserve and safely store the architectural crown and the elements of Grenfell Tower agreed with the community as we carefully take the building down. Everything that is removed will be loaded to unmarked lorries and carefully covered before being removed from the site.”

Visibility of Grenfell Tower

The Government plans to use illumination to create a visible presence on the skyline. Images of options are to be shared in community meetings. The banner with the green heart design is to be retained. It will be moved down the building in stages as the scaffolding to which it’s fixed is carefully taken down.

The banner will remain in place at the top of the building until works start. A second identical banner will be installed around halfway down the building. This means there will be two banners for a short period. The banner at the top will then be removed and installed lower down. Throughout, the banners will be illuminated at night in white.

The Government will continue to closely manage and monitor the building throughout the work. This includes the system that monitors Grenfell Tower 24/7 and the regular inspections and floor-by-floor checks conducted by structural engineering specialists.

Deconstruct UK, the principal contractor responsible for the safety and day-to-day maintenance of the site, will be responsible for the work to sensitively and carefully take the Tower down. The company is certified by the British Standards Institution and is accredited with the Safe Contractor scheme for competency in quality and safety.