13.11.2006

Crane Action group formed

Residents of the apartment block overlooking the building site of the fatal tower crane accident in Battersea, London have formed the Battersea Crane Disaster Action Group. The first meeting of which was held last week.

The group has been set up to organise demonstrations and petitions to “bring justice for people who suffered on that night and who are still affected".

The group has issued a number of aims including:
-The security and safety of local residents
-For the Health and Safety Executive to hold an full and immediate inspection of the site
-For an independent expert to be allowed to inspect the crane
-For Wandsworth Council to hold a full investigation into the disaster
-For a Code of Practice on crane safety to become law.

The group met 40 days after crane driver Jonathan Cloke and local resident, Michael Alexa, lost their lives after the top of a tower crane became detached from its tower. Throwing Cloke from the cab and crushing Alexa who was working on his car in the street.

Alexa’s mother said it was all about getting justice for her son and working with residents to demonstrate at the crane site, forcing Barratt, the builder, to stop work.

Since the accident on September 27, Barratt claims it has not carried out any significant work, while it waits for new cranes to be delivered, and it would continue to keep the residents and Wandsworth Council fully informed throughout the process.

However residents said at the meeting that they had seen Barratt staff working on the site. Over 30 people turned out for the meeting which was held on Tuesday and agreed to meet every Tuesday until they feel that justice is done.