News28.07.25by Ella Jessel
Bristol City Council is launching an inquiry into its evacuation of hundreds of people from a tower block in 2023, following strong criticism from residents and campaigners.
More than 250 residents of Barton House were evacuated on 14 November 2023 (picture: Bristol City Council)
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Bristol City Council is launching an inquiry into its evacuation of hundreds of people from a tower block in 2023, following strong criticism from residents and campaigners #UKHousing
In an update to the council’s housing policy committee, Barry Parsons, chair of the committee, confirmed that a firm had been appointed to look into the evacuation of the high rise in Barton Hill.
On 14 November 2023, more than 250 residents of Barton House on the edge of the city centre were evacuated after being told their building was at risk of collapse.
Families spent the winter living in hotels until the council moved them back into the building following repair works.
It later emerged that the council had been told about structural issues at Barton House in a surveyor’s report 15 months before the tower block was evacuated.
Earlier this year, a report published by Medact Bristol, a campaign group of healthcare professionals, and tenant union Acorn found residents have reported lasting mental and physical health impacts resulting from the evacuation.
Residents were placed in “disused, unclean and overcrowded hotel rooms”, the report found. Many families were forced to share a double bed between three people, with others sleeping in makeshift camp beds or on the floor.
Medact, which based its report on interviews conducted in November 2024 with nine households, said “it has become abundantly clear that the evacuation was a mass-traumatising event”.
The scope of the review has not yet been revealed, but Mr Parsons said the council wanted to ensure the investigation was “transparent and driven by residents”.
“They will have the ability to request documents for whatever’s in scope of the investigation. It’s really important that they have that freedom,” he added.
The council said further details on the review, including the name of the consultant carrying it out, would be revealed when the contract was signed.
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