Phase II: Drainage Defects Confirmed, But No Estate-Wide Strategy

 Further clarification has now been provided by Atkins and the City regarding the proposed Podium Phase II works.

Atkins have confirmed that CCTV drainage surveys were undertaken for podium downpipes within the Phase II area. According to Atkins, these surveys identified blockages and pipe defects requiring unblocking, repair and replacement as part of the proposed works.

Importantly, Atkins have also acknowledged that equivalent drainage remediation work was not undertaken as part of the earlier Phase I project.

This is significant because it now appears that substantial drainage defects have been identified within the podium drainage infrastructure itself, rather than the problem being solely one of failed waterproofing membranes or surface deterioration.

At the same time, Atkins continue to make clear that they were not asked to consider the podium drainage system from an estate-wide system level perspective. The City’s earlier FOI response also confirmed that:

• no estate-wide hydraulic modelling of the podium drainage system has been undertaken,
• no comprehensive estate-wide drainage strategy exists, and
• no drainage maintenance records are held for recent years.

In light of this, an obvious question arises: would funds be better directed toward comprehensive drainage investigation and remediation across the estate as a whole, incorporating the lessons from Phase I, before proceeding with another major programme of demolition, strip-back and resurfacing works?

Another important point is the scope of the surveys themselves. While CCTV investigation of downpipes may identify local blockages and defects, it remains unclear whether this amounts to a comprehensive assessment of the wider podium drainage system and its long-term performance.

The project therefore still appears to be a localised intervention rather than part of a coordinated estate-wide drainage strategy.

Given the scale, cost and disruption associated with the proposed works, these seem entirely reasonable questions to ask before irreversible enabling works proceed.

Phase II: Atkins Confirm No Estate-Wide Drainage Review

 

Following further correspondence with the City and Atkins regarding the Barbican Podium Phase II works, an important clarification has now been provided in writing.

Atkins have confirmed that they were not asked to consider the podium drainage system from an estate-wide system level perspective, but rather to focus on the specific water ingress issues affecting the Phase II area.

This appears to confirm that the current project should be understood as a localised surface intervention rather than part of a coordinated estate-wide drainage strategy.

That distinction matters because the City’s recent FOI response also confirmed that:

• no estate-wide hydraulic modelling of the podium drainage system has been undertaken,

• no comprehensive estate-wide drainage strategy exists, and

• no drainage maintenance records are held for recent years.

I have now asked for further clarification regarding what specific assessment of the drainage network itself has been undertaken even within the Phase II footprint.

For example, while trial holes and waterproofing investigations may help identify how water is entering the structure, they do not in themselves explain how the condition or performance of the drainage runs has been assessed, nor how confidence has been established that the proposed interventions will provide an effective long-term drainage solution.

Given the scale, cost and disruption associated with the proposed demolition and strip-back works, it seems reasonable that these technical questions should be satisfactorily resolved before irreversible enabling works proceed.

Podium Phase II: Progressing Without a Drainage Strategy?

The City has recently invited residents to a webinar on the Phase 2 podium works (details below).

By way of context, the response to a recent Freedom of Information request confirmed that:

• no estate-wide drainage strategy or modelling has been undertaken, and
• no drainage maintenance records are held for recent years.

Despite this, the City is continuing to progress the Phase 2 works, which are being presented as addressing long-standing drainage issues on the podium.

This is particularly notable given that similar drainage issues, including ponding, blocked drains and surface deterioration, are already visible on the western highwalk following the Phase 1 works.

This raises an obvious question: on what basis is it expected that these works will resolve drainage problems across the estate?

The webinar may be a useful opportunity to ask that question directly.

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Dear Residents,

Following my update on 9 March 2026, I’m writing to invite you to an online webinar to meet the contractor and hear about the enabling works planned for this summer.

While we continue to discharge the pre-commencement planning conditions required for the main works, we are pleased to confirm that Maylim have been appointed as the contractor to commence early enabling works due to start this summer, including the removal of the Yellow Link Building.

Date: Monday 18 May 2026 Time: 18.30 - 19.30

Register: Please click this link to register or contact the project team via info@barbicanprojects.co.uk

In the webinar, Maylim will introduce the team and outline the proposed programme for the enabling works, including phasing, access arrangements, working hours, noise and other key considerations.

This will be followed by a Q&A session so you can ask questions and understand how the works may affect you.

We hope you are able to attend, but don’t worry if you can’t make it. The webinar will be recorded, and the presentation and recording be available on www.barbicanprojects.co.uk afterwards.

If you have any queries on the webinar, please contact the project team via info@barbicanprojects.co.uk or 0800 772 0475.

Kind regards, Dan Sanders, Director of Property and Estate Management - Barbican

Podium Phase 2 works: FOI request for drainage strategy

I submitted a Freedom of Information request on 9 March asking what analysis and planning had been undertaken over the years in relation to estate-wide drainage across the Barbican podium.

I received the response today. In short, the answer is: very little.

The City confirms that there is no estate-wide drainage strategy, no system-wide modelling, and no meaningful record of drainage maintenance.

The response is, in my view, quite revealing.

Below is a short summary of the key points arising.

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Summary

The proposed Phase 2 podium works are being presented as a solution to long-standing drainage issues on the Barbican highwalks. However, information disclosed by the City of London under the Freedom of Information Act, together with earlier project documentation, raises serious questions about whether the underlying drainage problems are being addressed in a systematic and effective way.

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Key Findings

1. No estate-wide drainage strategy or modelling
The City has confirmed that:

• no estate-wide hydraulic modelling of the podium drainage system has been undertaken
• no comprehensive estate-wide drainage strategy exists

Drainage is therefore not being managed as a coherent system, despite persistent issues across the estate.

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2. No maintenance records for drainage infrastructure
The City has stated that:

• no records are held for drainage maintenance, blockages, or clearance over the past five years

This makes it difficult to assess:

• whether drainage problems are due to design or maintenance
• whether proposed works will lead to measurable improvement

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3. Phase 1 explicitly excluded drainage
A post-project technical review of earlier works states:

“This was a waterproofing project only… it would have been desirable to include podium drainage as well.”

Despite this acknowledged limitation, similar issues (ponding, blocked drains, surface deterioration) are already visible in the refurbished western highwalk.

---

4. Investigations are local, not system-wide
Recent technical work has focused on:

• local leak investigations (e.g. Beech Gardens)
• thermographic and radar surveys
• structural movement monitoring

These are targeted diagnostics, not a comprehensive assessment of the drainage network across the estate.

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5. Works are being delivered on a phased, project-by-project basis
The City confirms that podium works have been developed:

• on a phased basis
• informed by local condition and individual project approvals

There is no evidence of a coordinated, estate-wide approach to drainage infrastructure.

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Implications

• The root cause of drainage issues appears to be systemic rather than localised
• Addressing drainage only within the Phase 2 footprint risks repeating the shortcomings of Phase 1
• Without modelling, strategy, or maintenance data, it is unclear how improved drainage performance can be assured

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Key Question

What estate-wide analysis has been undertaken to demonstrate that Phase 2 will resolve drainage issues at a system level, rather than simply within the project boundary?

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Conclusion

There is a clear risk that Phase 2 prioritises surface renewal and capital works over addressing the underlying drainage system across the Barbican Estate. A more effective approach would be:

• an estate-wide drainage assessment
• a coordinated maintenance and repair programme
• targeted surface works where required

Until such a strategy is in place, confidence in the long-term effectiveness of the proposed works is necessarily limited.

BEO enthusiasm for the Podium - Phase 2 works

The Barbican Estate Office is presenting Phase 2 as a major step forward for the podium. I am not persuaded. The real problem on the highwalks is drainage: drains that do not work properly and are not adequately maintained. Yet the proposed works are being promoted as though they will greatly improve conditions on the highwalks. That claim deserves scepticism.

We were told similar things around Phase 1, yet the western highwalk already shows puddles, blocked drains, staining and broken tiles. In practice, the result has been years of disruption followed by an area that looks little better and still suffers from the same underlying defects.

A more sensible approach would be an estate-wide programme of drain repair and maintenance, with local surface repairs where necessary, rather than another costly and disruptive capital project that risks treating the symptoms while leaving the cause in place.

From the BEO:
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Barbican Podium - Phase 2

Dear Residents,

We are very pleased to confirm the Barbican Podium Phase 2 Project has now received approval for funding at the latest Court of Common Council meeitng. This important milestone means the project can now move into the next stage, where a contractor will be formally appointed to carry out the works.

Over the course of this year, we will focus on discharging the necessary pre-planning conditions required before construction can begin. One of the key early activities will be the removal of the Yellow Link Building, currently planned for this summer. In parallel, the project team will work to resolve the remaining contractual and technical matters, with the aim of achieving a Spring 2027 start on site.

As the programme moves into delivery, responsibility for the project will transition to a combined leadership between the Barbican Estate Office (Dan Sanders) and the Barbican Centre (Philippa Simpson), reflecting the significant impact the works will have across both the residential estate and the wider Barbican Renewal programme. This joint approach will help ensure that the needs of residents, the cultural centre, and the estate are considered throughout the project, and that all activity and design is fully coordinated.

This is a very exciting moment for the Barbican. The podium refurbishment represents a once-in-a-generation investment in the long-term future of the estate, helping to protect and enhance one of London's most iconic environments. We are committed to working openly and collaboratively with resident groups across the estate, ensuring clear communication and engagement as the project develops and construction approaches.

A core element of the works is the comprehensive upgrade of the podium drainage system. Addressing long-standing issues with water pooling across the podium is a major priority of the project. The scheme will also incorporate the drainage improvements originally intended as part of Phase 1 podium works but not delivered at that time, ensuring a more robust and resilient drainage network for the future.

Beyond resolving these technical issues, the project will deliver a range of wider benefits for residents and visitors. These include:

Improved drainage and waterproofing, protecting the buildings and facilities located beneath the podium structure and ending the water pooling following rainfall.

Enhanced landscaping and planting, supporting biodiversity and contributing to a greener, more climate-resilient estate.

Long-term protection of the Barbican's heritage, through sensitive refurbishment that respects the estate's Grade II listed status.

Better accessibility and legibility of the podium, making routes and spaces clearer and easier to navigate.

Integration with the wider Barbican Renewal programme, helping to secure the future of the Barbican as a world-leading cultural and residential destination for the next 50 years.

Taken together, these improvements will help ensure that the Barbican podium remains a welcoming, resilient, and vibrant place for residents, visitors, and nature, while safeguarding the estate's unique architectural character for generations to come.

We look forward to continuing to work with residents and stakeholders as the project progresses.

90 Week Highwalk Resurfacing Project - More plans

 The City recently published two documents regarding the proposed 90 week project to strip back the eastern highwalk and relay it.  This is "phase 2" of the resurfacing work.  You can see the rather disappointing results of phase 1 as you walk towards the Barbican tube station, noting the blocked drains, cracked tiles and blocked direct route to the bridge (while they try to fix up something they missed in phase 1, no doubt).

The two documents are:

• A protective measures plan
• A construction traffic plan

The wider issue of fixing the drains across the estate gets scant mention.  Rather, the focus is on the superficial works which, if you see the images in the document, will make the highwalk look lovely.  I recall similar documents for phase 1, and look at what we got.

To be fair I will note that the City does claim that they will apply a waterproof membrane beneath the new surfaces.  The problem is that a waterproof membrane without working drainage give you ponds, just as we see with the phase 1 work.

Anyway, I have written a letter to our councilors:

Dear [Councillors],

I note that the City is proceeding with Phase 2 of the podium works.

My concern is not that drainage works are absent, they are referenced in the documentation, but that they are:
1. Embedded within a much larger strip-back and landscaping project, and
2. Limited to the specific Phase 2 footprint rather than forming part of a coherent, estate-wide drainage strategy.

Drainage performance appears to be the fundamental issue affecting the highwalks (and indeed the structure of the Barbican!). Persistent ponding, blocked gullies and tile deterioration, including on the recently relaid western end, suggest systemic drainage shortcomings rather than isolated surface failures.

Blending drainage remediation into a predominantly surface-led scheme risks obscuring whether the underlying infrastructure is genuinely being resolved.

Before committing to 99 weeks of disruption, it would seem logical to:
- Publish a clear estate-wide drainage assessment,
- Confirm whether the wider podium drainage network has been surveyed in full,
- Explain why drainage is not being addressed comprehensively across the estate before further surface strip-back works proceed.

Without that clarity, this risks becoming a repeating cycle of surface renewal without structural resolution.

I would be grateful if you could seek a clear explanation from officers on how Phase 2 fits within a broader infrastructure strategy for the Barbican podium, in particular with respect to drainage.

Don't flush those wet wipes!

From the BEO:

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Please consider what you flush
 

Unfortunately this week has seen another pipe blockage occur on the estate. As you can imagine these incidents are very unpleasant and stressful for both the residents affected and the staff who work to rectify the issue.

Please consider what you are flushing down your toilets, wipes are one of the biggest causes of blockages in pipes, and go on to cause flooding on the estate.

Wipes are often labelled as ‘flushable’, but regardless of any claims on packaging, wipes should never be flushed down the toilet as they are not compatible with our plumbing system. We kindly request that you, your guests, subtenants, or private cleaners refrain from flushing them down the toilet.

Our plumbing system, equipped with cast iron pipes, is particularly susceptible to snagging on anything other than toilet paper due to naturally occurring material imperfections which can easily lead to blockages and subsequent issues. The consequences of these blockages extend beyond inconvenience, causing significant distress to our lower floor neighbours and necessitating extensive and costly clean-up efforts by our contractors and staff.

To prevent the risk of future incidents, we urge all residents to ensure wipes are disposed of in bins rather than flushing them down the toilet. This simple action will greatly contribute to maintaining a pleasant living environment and drive down avoidable sewerage repair recharge costs for all residents. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

White Cross Street Ramp Closed Thu 21st March

From the BEO:

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Dear Residents,

I am writing to inform you that the ramp on White Cross Street by Staircase 64, Ben Jonson House, will be closed tomorrow (Thursday 21 March), all day, due to repairs taking place on the drains and associated pipework.

There will be barriers in place as well as signs directing to the ramp round the back of Ben Jonson as an alternative.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Kind Regards,
Barbican Estate Office

Phase 2 Poduim Works

The Weekly Planning List from Sue Cox included details of the proposals for "Podium Phase 2". Podium Phase 1 tackled Beech Gardens and the north western part of the estate. Phase 2 will tackle Ben Jonson Highwalk and the north eastern part.

The reference number for the application is 22/01178/FULL and 22/01179/LBC. Search for those names here (the City web sited does not support direct links to applications for some reason):

https://www.planning2.cityoflondon.gov.uk/online-applications/

Here is my comment:

The proposal is a pretty shocking misallocation of funds, especially at a time of economic stress.

The photographs of stained and damaged tiles included in the phase 2 design and access statement could just as easily have been taken in and around Beech Gardens (the results of Phase 1) which has plenty of blocked drains and damaged tiles. Even the bucket shot could have been taken in offices below Beech Gardens long after Phase 1 was declared complete.

In retrospect, Phase 1 was a really bad idea mainly because the critical underlying issue was not addressed (the drains were not fixed first) but also because the end result is no better than the current state of the area slated for phase 2. Fixing the drains plus a well funded maintenance programme would have produced a much better outcome than the phase 1 project, and would have been far less stressful all around.

So rather than use the allocated funds on phase 2 as proposed, allocate tranches of the money to:

• >>> Fix the drains <<< (I know work for this is proposed in phase 2, but this should not just be a one-off "project" to fix the drains, rather it should be part of maintenance)
• Establish a rolling maintenance programme for the drains including a long term vision of how site drainage will evolve.
• Re-visit and repair the Phase 1 work at Beech Gardens. The drains should be fixed, of course, and damaged and stained tiles should be replaced as needed.
• Start a programme of rolling maintenance for the highwalks as a whole using best practice materials (e.g. for now, the tiles used on for Phase 1 Beech Gardens can be used to replace damaged tiles elsewhere).
• Remove Yellow Shed. Often promised and dangled as a carrot: "if you residents would only approve our latest plan X we promise to finally remove the shed!" ... only to recant and leave the shed in place (... a handy carrot for the future).
• Restore the automated drip water system. Should be fine with fixed drains. More efficient for staff & save water too.

Podium Phase 2 Update (drains still not taken seriously)

The City bureaucrats are pressing ahead with their plans for "Podium Phase 2" despite the fact that Podium Phase 1 (Beech gardens) is not finished yet.  The aim of these projects is to address issues caused by water and yet Nuffield, with premises beneath Beech Gardens, are still suffering from leaks as were Virgin before them.

There are surely many factors contributing to the leaks, but one must be that surface water on the highwalk does not drain away.  Here are two photos of the Beech Gardens area, one week apart:

... and that puddle was still there yesterday.  At the center of the puddle is, of course, a drain grate which sits above a blocked drain.  Why won't the City fix the drains?   Too boring, perhaps?

The Phase 1 Beech Gardens fiasco goes on because a) the drains have not been fixed and b) the waterproof membrane does not work (just ask Nuffield and Virgin).  Phase 1 is not complete by any reasonable measure given the original driver of tacking water penetration.

And yet, here are the City getting ready to leap into Phase 2 at the eastern end of the highwalk.  Ben Jonson Highwalk, here they come:

Flashy stuff.  No mention of the drains.

 
Here is the latest update via the BEO:

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Update from the Barbican Projects Hub Team - Podium Phase 2

Consultation is still open for Phase 2 of the Barbican Podium. Details are available on www.barbicanprojects.co.uk or please visit the exhibition on the Yellow Link Building. Please also view the flyer here.

For further information you can call 0800 772 0475 or email info@barbicanprojects.co.uk.

Ben Jonson House - Water Tank Works

From the BEO:

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Ben Jonson House - Water Tank Works

Guardian engineers will be carrying out further works to the water tanks in Ben Jonson House on 2 and 3 December, following recent legionella testing.

There will be no disruptions to residents water supply as operatives carry out this work. There are other works going on to tanks where water supply will be disrupted, residents affected will have received written letters.

Any further questions please contact Steven Murray, the Project Manager, by email or 020 70293915.

Thank you for your cooperation in this regard.

Water tank work - from 29th Nov

From the BEO:

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Cold Water Storage Tank Works - Ben Jonson House

Smart Managed Solutions working with City of London Corporation will be carrying out urgent works on the cold-water storage tanks over a two-day period, between Monday 29 November - Tuesday 14 December.

Residents affected will be sent a letter with precise dates and times of the disruption.

On day 1 there will be disruptions to properties between 10am - 4pm.

During this time, we will require you to NOT use any of the bathroom and bathroom fed services, this includes washing machines or dish washers ‘fed’ from the bathroom facilities.

On the second day engineers will carry out non-disruptive remedial completion works from 10am to 4pm.

Residents may wish to store a bath full of water for flushing the toilet on the day of disruptions. This will include opening/turning on of any bathroom taps between 10am until 4pm and the flushing of toilets from 10am – 4pm. Due to the nature of the work involved this may overrun, but you will be informed by our operatives.

Mains drinking water will not be affected.

Every effort will be made to keep noise levels to a minimum during the hours of 10am – 4pm

SMART operatives will visit a number of properties once the work is complete to ensure services have resumed as normal.

Following recent Government advise relating to COVID-19 all engineers will be wearing the correct and necessary PPE. Communal areas that workmen have to access with be sanitised before and after use.

If you require any further information please contact the Project Manager, Steve Hope on 07577 967907, Smarts main office on 01268 206188 or the City Project Manager.

Barbican Podium Phase 2 - Oct Newsletter

 It seems that we are to have newsletters for the Phase 2 podium resurfacing works:

Click to read the newsletter

On the bright side, the newsletter confirms that the Yellow Shed is still in the crosshairs.

And drainage gets a mention too, but only to say that there will be a survey as part of the phase 2 works vs. not even starting the tile replacement until the drains are fixed.

Barbican Podium Phase Two & The Drains - the city responds!

I sent an email message to the Barbican Projects Team regarding their plans to start work on tackling Beech Gardens MkII (resurfacing the eastern part of the north highwalks).  In particular I asked for an assurance that the drains would be fixed before any work starts on the big budget membrane installation project.  I also asked if they would be removing the Yellow Shed too.

I got a response, and it seems very positive, including a link to a webinar due to be held on 20th July:

___  

Thank you for getting in touch and I hope this email finds you well. This project will cover the public realm in the vicinity of Ben Jonson Place, Breton and Cromwell High Walk.

Replacing the existing waterproofing membrane is a priority as the existing membrane has deteriorated and is no longer able to protect the concrete structure or the occupied spaces beneath it from water ingress.

To confirm, improvement work will be undertaken to the existing drainage infrastructure. Remedial improvement to the drainage infrastructure is an essential part of the project as we have identified disruption to the drainage system, which can cause ponding and deterioration to the surface finishes. The sequence of the works is under careful consideration be our appointed design team

I also confirm that we are removing the yellow link building, located between Ben Jonson House and Frobisher Crescent. This is necessary to effectively undertake waterproofing and drainage work at the podium level. Its removal will provide an opportunity to improve access, legibility and circulation across the podium and to introduce additional areas of greening.

Letters are being distributed this week, informing residents that a webinar will be taking place next week (20 July) relating to the podium project.

To sign-up for the webinar, please visit our website: https://www.barbicanprojects.co.uk

Best wishes

Beech Gardens MkII ... will the drains be fixed first?

 In a recent letter the City tell us that their "Barbican Projects Team" will be launching a couple of projects.  One is to fix up the electrical gubbins in the exhibition halls, the other is to resurface the eastern part of the north highwalk; Beech Gardens Mk II.

The resurfacing of the western end of the north highwalk, around Beech Gardens, failed to prevent flooding ... because the City failed to fix the drains before starting on the project (or subsequently).  Even if the new hi-tech Beech Gardens membrane worked perfectly (which it does not) it would merely contain the surface water which does not drain away (instead it mostly evaporates), and indeed we can all observe the long lived puddles and lakes after any reasonably heavy rainfall.

Before starting any sexy new resurfacing projects the City really must fix the drains.

... and once the drains are fixed, and surface water no longer lingers, I suspect most of the 'leaks' the resurfacing works are supposed to fix will simply disappear.

The "Barbican Projects Team" can be contacted on info@barbicanprojects.co.uk.  I'll write to ask if they will commit to fixing the drains before moving on to the ( bureaucrat resume boosting) big resurfacing works.

Here is the bit of the letter regarding the resurfacing:

Click to read the whole letter

Podium Works Planning - again

We've been here before.  The City seems to be preparing for another capital expenditure project (or set of projects) on the highwalks.  

The last set of projects gave us the highwalk resurfacing and plantings around Beech Gardens.  While the results are good in some ways, the highwalk still floods, has puddles that don't drain away and new tiles which are are already disfigured by leeching limescale.

The underlying problem is that the drains are not working properly.  Draining is slow in many places and some drains are completely blocked (water clears by evaporation).  This has been the case since ... well, for a very long time.

Maintenance is the boring stuff (no sexy promotion-enhancing capital budget for your aspiring bureaucrat).  The danger for this new round of works is that the City moves to the sexy capital expenditure before resolving the basic underlying and critical maintenance issues.

In short, the City should fix the drains before proceeding with any other works.

The message from the City below talks first about about waterproofing (a juicy capital project) before drainage (boring old maintenance).  The result of an area being waterproofed but having no drainage is (approximately) a swimming pool!  This is precisely the mistake the City made with Beech Gardens ... the focus was on the technology of the waterproofing membrane and the tiles (yum, capital!) and the result is the flooding / puddles / leeching we see today.

Actually, the drains are currently in such a poor state that they may need a capital expenditure to get them fixed so perhaps by letting them get so bad the bureaucrats may have created a nice project for themselves.  Perhaps there is hope.  Of course once fixed the drains would still need to maintained ... oh, dear.

Dear reader, you can help!   If asked for feedback on these projects please say "first, fix the drains".  Thank you.

From the BEO:
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Barbican Podium Project: Upcoming Survey Works

Proposals are currently being considered for waterproofing, drainage and associated landscaping work relating to sections of the podium above Beech Street.

You may notice that survey work is being undertaken over the next few weeks.

Once initial proposals for the podium have been established, the project team will be introducing themselves to stakeholders and residents. This will provide you with an opportunity to understand the extent of the works required and the anticipated delivery programme.

Water Tank Works Continue

From the BEO:

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Water Tank Project: Additional Work Ben Jonson House

Some additional work as part of our cold water tank project is required to tank 28 in Ben Jonson House by our contractor, SMART Managed Solutions. These works will be commencing from Monday 8 February and will aim to be completed by Monday 15 February. There will be no works undertaken on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be no disruption to services, but the engineers will need to access the tank via the communal balcony.

Following the ongoing Government advice relating to COVID-19, all engineers will be wearing the correct and necessary PPE. Communal areas that workmen have to access with be sanitised before and after use.

If you require any further information please contact the Major Works Team or call on 07577 967907 or the main office 01268 206188.

Thank you for your help in getting these works completed.

Legionella Water Monitoring

From the BEO:

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Legionella Water Monitoring


Due to the present heightened restriction being imposed in London, Guardian will revert back to testing all water tanks on a monthly basis, to check temperature and water samples and avoid going into homes if possible.

Please find the schedule below for Guardian's next site visit:

  

Date	Blocks on the Barbican Estate
2 November	Ben Jonson House / Shakespeare Tower / Cromwell Tower / Lauderdale Tower
3 November	Defoe House / Lambert Jones Mews / Seddon House / Thomas More House
4 November	Mountjoy House / 1-2 Wallside / Gilbert House / Frobisher Crescent / Brandon Mews
5 November	Speed House / Andrewes House / Estate Office / The Postern / Willoughby House
6 November	John Trundle Court / Bryer Court / Bunyan Court / Breton House
9 November	Catch up day if Barbican not completed

Those residences which require access due to previous Legionella positive samples being returned, will be contacted directly, so that a planned visit can be made with COVID-19 procedures in place.

Please respond with any details of self-isolation or infections when asked.

Any further questions please contact Steven Murray, the Project Manager, by email or 020 70293915.

Thank you for your cooperation in this regard.

Digging on Silk St

From the BEO:
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Street Works on Silk Street

Thames Water are continuing the works on Silk Street to repair a water leak. Road works will continue over the weekend and the road surface will be reinstated by next week. Access to the car parks remains unaffected.

 

That very noisy green vacuum truck in action

Paul Geddis is the point of contact for Thames Water – 07703 689 418.

Arts centre flooded - pumps in action

Notice from the Barbican Centre - Emergency Tanker Works

Last weekend on Sunday 5 April the Barbican Centre suffered from a critical failure to some of its pump mechanisms that resulted in substantial flooding.

Due to the nature of the failure, and damage caused, the only interim solution was to remove the waste water by use of an emergency tanker. Some Residents will already be aware, since the generator and pumping from the tanker causes not insubstantial noise. We apologise that this happened on a Sunday however this is a serious flood and has to be rectified as soon as possible.

This situation has been brought under control to an extent and a temporary solution is in place whilst we attempt to replace/repair the pumps (and electrics / control panels). The tanker will remain on site but will only be used in an emergency if the measures fail.

We will continue to update regarding further development.