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The government has announced that Grenfell Tower will be carefully taken down to the ground.
Survivors of the tragedy — in which 72 people lost their lives — and residents in the immediate community were informed of the decision both in person at a meeting last week and via post by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
Recognising that for some, Grenfell Tower remains a symbol of all that they lost, the government last month said it was considering the views of all those affected by the tragedy as part of its decision-making process ahead of reaching a conclusion on the fate of the tower.
However, the final decision to effectively raise Grenfell Tower to the ground has been met with dismay and anger by some of those affected by the fire.
Indeed, speaking at the meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister last week, a spokesperson for Grenfell United, which comprises survivors and bereaved families from the Grenfell Tower fire, said the government’s decision was “disgraceful and unforgivable.”
The spokesperson added that nobody at the meeting supported the government’s decision.
“Today’s meeting showed just how upset bereaved and survivors are about not having their views heard or considered in this decision.
“Ignoring the voices of bereaved on the future of our loved ones’ gravesite is disgraceful and unforgivable.”
Grenfell United spokesperson.
The Grenfell Tower site is a polarising symbol among those who were impacted by the fire there in June 2017, with some saying its presence helps to ensure the tragedy is never forgotten and others saying it acts as a painful reminder of what happened.
Before reaching its decision on Friday, the government said it had consulted independent experts on the tower’s stability. And even with the measures put in place to shore it up, including the installation of additional props, the site’s condition will inevitably deteriorate over time.
The next step is for the government to confirm the specialist contractor that will take the tower down, before work starts on its careful dismantlement, which is expected to take around two years.
Certain elements of the tower that can be removed and retained could form part of any future memorial, if the community wishes, according to the government.
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