The Scottish Government has been forced to fund a "personal fire service" for a massive apartment complex in Glasgow after developers failed to make improvements in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster.
Lancefield Quay, on the north bank of the Clyde, will see a team of fire safety experts continually patrol the grounds and buildings in order to alert residents if a blaze breaks out.
The move was triggered after a report highlighted major safety issues at the site in Finnieston, which was developed in the early 2000s.
Ministers said the action - described as being a temporary measure - was needed as the developers of Lancefield Quay had failed to make the necessary improvements.
But Housing Secretary Shona Robison has challenged them to "step up and take responsibility for work to keep the residents in their buildings safe".
Pam Duncan-Glancy, a Labour MSP for Glasgow, said: "It’s astounding that rather than do what they said they’d do and fix the problem, the Scottish Government have deployed a personal fire service, presumably at great expense, to cover their lack of action. As if fire fighters aren’t stretched enough.
"It’s time they acted on their promises and fixed problems rather than paying for failure."
The Scottish Government refused to say how much the patrols are costing due to commercial confidentiality.
The action is being taken after ministers received a fire safety engineer’s report for the site in late December.
This was passed to the developers, with urgent negotiations taking place between them and Scottish Government officials since then.
The Scottish Government said the company concerned had failed to implement the necessary safety measures - resulting in it intervening to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.
The waking watch is being put in until a permanent solution can be arranged.
Residents said they were informed the fire wardens would be arriving but had wanted to see the contents of the report before that happened.
James Quigley, 42, who has been living in his third floor apartment for eight months, said: "There’s been issues going on for over two years so I’m not quite sure why there’s a sudden urgency.
"If it’s a serious matter, why wasn’t anything done two years ago? It’s a bit odd that the marshals are walking around.
"If I was a vulnerable person walking around the estate then I may feel anxious that they are there. This issue was highlighted two years ago but only now do they see it as an immediate threat. It looks political if anything. "
Another thirteen-year long resident of Lancefield Quay said: "We know there’s a cladding issue and it’s terrifying."
A third added: "It would’ve helped to receive the report and findings prior to marshals arriving."
Robison said: "We have been engaging urgently with the developers of these buildings, they must step up and take responsibility for work to keep the residents in their buildings safe.
"The safety of residents is our utmost priority - that’s why the Scottish Government is intervening now to fund this work and ensure enhanced safeguards are in place as quickly as possible.
"Our negotiations with the developers are ongoing and it is my sincerest hope that a resolution can be found.”
A copy of a letter sent by the Scottish Government to residents at Lancefield Quay said an urgent solution was needed to protect them.
The letter said: "I appreciate that this is a difficult and stressful situation. The safety of residents and homeowners in Scotland is our utmost priority and this is why we are taking this precautionary action today.
"I also appreciate that you are likely to have questions about this decision. We are in the process of setting up a briefing session for members of your residents committee and your factor to provide further information."
David Murdoch, a senior officer for Glasgow at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We continue to work closely with stakeholders in the Scottish Government’s Single Building Assessment Programme.
"We will continue to provide safety advice and support to building owners, partners and the residents of the buildings which have been identified."
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative shadow housing secretary, said: "This is very worrying for residents, who will understandably be deeply alarmed about the risks of them continuing to live in these flats.
"SNP ministers may have intervened in this situation, but they have been found sorely wanting when it comes to spending funding specifically designed to remove combustible cladding from buildings like this.
"They have spent a tiny fraction of a near £100m fund given by the UK government, so they should be ashamed of their inaction."
Safety fears over combustible cladding were raised following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London in 2017 which killed 72 people.
The Scottish Government announced last year it would expand the country’s assessment programme for cladding on high-rise buildings, with housing developers working alongside ministers to ensure properties are safe.
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