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(467 words)
Life Under Scaffolding: The Hidden Costs of Long-Term Remediation
This Friday on Cladding Matters, we’re putting the spotlight not on what’s being fixed – but on what people are still living through. Because for many residents, the cladding may be coming down, yet daily life remains totally disrupted.
Scaffolding. Tarpaulin. Drilling. Debris. Contractors outside your window – sometimes for months on end. We’re talking about the reality of long-term cladding remediation, and the very human cost that comes with it.
The government might see progress when a building is wrapped and work begins, but for those on the inside, that’s often when things get worse. Living behind sheeting means more than just blocked views. Residents lose natural light, ventilation, privacy, and a sense of home. In some cases, people can’t even open their windows properly or get a good night’s sleep.
We’ve seen reports from across the country: elderly residents stuck in rooms with no daylight, families trying to home-school under constant drilling, and leaseholders who’ve had to install blackout blinds just to cope with round-the-clock site lighting. In one case, scaffolding was left up for over 18 months after the contractor walked off the job.
It’s not just physical discomfort, either. The emotional and mental toll is significant. Recent research shows that nearly 90 percent of people living through remediation report serious impacts on their mental health. We’re hearing about anxiety, depression, feelings of entrapment, and even residents experiencing PTSD-like symptoms.
And yet, so many feel they’ve been left out of the process. They’re not consulted about when or how work takes place. Many don’t even know who to ask for updates. Communication breaks down, and with it, trust.
Joining us as always will be Gareth Wax in the chair, alongside Hamish McLay and Stephen Day. We’ll also be joined by Matt Hodges-Long and Ben Jenkins, who bring further expertise and frontline perspective to the conversation.
Together, we’ll explore what good looks like – from considerate site management to clearer communication and alternative access systems like mast climbers, which can reduce disruption dramatically.
There’s no doubt remediation is essential. No one’s saying stop the work. But we do need to acknowledge what it costs to live in the middle of it. Because behind every scaffolded block is a community trying to carry on – and they deserve to be heard.
Join us live on Friday 5th September at 1pm for Cladding Matters: Life Under Scaffolding – The Hidden Costs of Long-Term Remediation. Bring your comments, your experiences, or just your curiosity. Everyone’s welcome.
PS:
Never miss an episode of Spilling the Proper-Tea – subscribe or watch live at: https://www.youtube.com/@SpillingTheProper-Tea
For content enquiries:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For podcast/media info:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Scaffolding. Tarpaulin. Drilling. Debris. Contractors outside your window – sometimes for months on end. We’re talking about the reality of long-term cladding remediation, and the very human cost that comes with it.
The government might see progress when a building is wrapped and work begins, but for those on the inside, that’s often when things get worse. Living behind sheeting means more than just blocked views. Residents lose natural light, ventilation, privacy, and a sense of home. In some cases, people can’t even open their windows properly or get a good night’s sleep.
We’ve seen reports from across the country: elderly residents stuck in rooms with no daylight, families trying to home-school under constant drilling, and leaseholders who’ve had to install blackout blinds just to cope with round-the-clock site lighting. In one case, scaffolding was left up for over 18 months after the contractor walked off the job.
It’s not just physical discomfort, either. The emotional and mental toll is significant. Recent research shows that nearly 90 percent of people living through remediation report serious impacts on their mental health. We’re hearing about anxiety, depression, feelings of entrapment, and even residents experiencing PTSD-like symptoms.
And yet, so many feel they’ve been left out of the process. They’re not consulted about when or how work takes place. Many don’t even know who to ask for updates. Communication breaks down, and with it, trust.
Joining us as always will be Gareth Wax in the chair, alongside Hamish McLay and Stephen Day. We’ll also be joined by Matt Hodges-Long and Ben Jenkins, who bring further expertise and frontline perspective to the conversation.
Together, we’ll explore what good looks like – from considerate site management to clearer communication and alternative access systems like mast climbers, which can reduce disruption dramatically.
There’s no doubt remediation is essential. No one’s saying stop the work. But we do need to acknowledge what it costs to live in the middle of it. Because behind every scaffolded block is a community trying to carry on – and they deserve to be heard.
Join us live on Friday 5th September at 1pm for Cladding Matters: Life Under Scaffolding – The Hidden Costs of Long-Term Remediation. Bring your comments, your experiences, or just your curiosity. Everyone’s welcome.
PS:
Never miss an episode of Spilling the Proper-Tea – subscribe or watch live at: https://www.youtube.com/@SpillingTheProper-Tea
For content enquiries:
For podcast/media info:
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