Charlton residents return home after 11-week building collapse evacuation
Fourteen properties on Woodland Terrace were evacuated after a partial building collapse on 22 August.
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Residents evacuated from 14 properties on Woodland Terrace, Charlton, have been allowed to return to their homes. The move follows an 11-week displacement caused by a partial building collapse that occurred on Saturday 22 August at approximately 6.40pm. The incident involved the frontage of three houses on the street.
The Royal Borough of Greenwich council stated that its priority has been public safety and swiftly removing danger. Following recent assessments, Building Control has advised that Dangerous Structures Notices on all 14 affected properties can be lifted. The council also indicated no objection to the road reopening from a building safety perspective.
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Emergency Works Undertaken
The council appointed Wates to undertake emergency works to address immediate safety risks and make the affected properties weatherproof. These works, which included removing unsafe masonry and installing safety measures, were not intended to determine the cause of the collapse. SGN and UK Power Networks are also working to reinstate utility connections.
The properties affected are privately owned, with many of the houses, built in the 1830s, having been converted into flats. In the immediate aftermath of the collapse, some residents received emergency accommodation from the council. The road remains closed to traffic as of 10 November, pending further assessments and coordination with utility providers.
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The cause of the partial collapse has not yet been determined. The Royal Borough of Greenwich council is continuing to consider technical information, including surveys and assessments, to inform ongoing safety decisions. Lovell, a developer whose nearby housing regeneration scheme, One Woolwich, has properties backing onto the affected site, paused its work following the incident but resumed in September.
The council has maintained communication with residents through in-person meetings and direct correspondence, and has committed to ongoing updates as remaining works progress. The Building Control team has overseen the emergency works and continues to review engineering advice and monitoring information.
Questions this report answers
+Why were residents evacuated from Woodland Terrace?
Residents were evacuated due to a partial building collapse on Woodland Terrace on 22 August. The incident affected the frontages of three houses, leading to Dangerous Structures Notices being issued for 14 properties and concerns for public safety.
+What emergency works were carried out?
The Royal Borough of Greenwich council appointed Wates to undertake emergency works. These included removing unsafe masonry, making the affected properties weatherproof, and installing safety measures to address immediate risks before the autumn and winter period.
+Has the cause of the collapse been found?
No, the cause of the partial building collapse has not yet been determined. The Royal Borough of Greenwich council is continuing to review technical information, surveys, and assessments to inform its safety decisions.
+When will Woodland Terrace reopen?
While Building Control has indicated no objection to reopening the road from a building safety perspective, it remained closed as of 10 November. The council is coordinating with utility providers for the next phase of activity, which includes reopening the road.
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