Resident’s should be aware by now that the East wall of Regatta Point is in need of repair.
When the St George’s development removed the office block that used to cover the East wall it quickly became apparent that it needed some investigation as it looked unsafe. Our surveyors confirmed that the wall was not straight and advised that the brickwork should be pinned to the concrete super-structure of Regatta Point (a system of screws called Helifix).
We have obtained the following email from Alan Murphy at Shaw and Company (part of the same group as our managing agents HML Shaw). We requested this due to the concerns of residents over these important works and because Alan Murphy has taken over the project from Peter Messenger who has left their company.
Additional to the quote (below) Alan Murphy has confirmed that the duration and cost of the works have reduced from original estimates because scaffolding is no longer necessary.
“Further to our phone conversation I am sending this email to reassure residents regarding the proposed works to the east flank wall.
As discussed the best time estimate for the works to the east flank wall is the last week of March first week of April. However this is not as yet confirmed and cannot be confirmed until such time as the contractor lined up to do the works supplies essential documentation.
Both Shaws and St George require risk and method safety statements (RAMS) from the contractor carrying out the lateral restraint work. This is a legal health and safety requirement and is non-negotiable.
Shaws and St Georges have requested these RAMS on several occasions and this request is refreshed regularly. The reality is though that only the contractor can do the RAMS and until such time as he does, we will not have any confirmed hard dates for the work to occur.
I have told you that I will inform you once this occurs. But please appreciate that the ball is in the contractor’s court for now.
This job as you are aware was managed by a colleague of mine and as such I am not fully familiar with the background. I am not sure therefore if the proposed works have been explained in detail?
A series of 6mm steel ties will be inserted into the exterior wall by means of drilling holes with a 6mm drill bit. I attach a photograph with the proposed layout. Please note that holes shown on the photo are not real size !!
I also attach a sketch of the 6mm ties that are being used together with the type of drill being used.
I hope everyone appreciates that a 6 mm drill bit is quite small. That’s less than a quarter of an inch in old money !!
While of course there will be some noise from the drilling it will be quite low level and of minimal duration. Akin to a neighbour putting up some shelves. It will also not be concentrated in a single location for any length of time. I would think that the job in total should last no more than a couple of days.
So in my view there is absolutely no reason for anyone to feel they cannot stay in their flats whilst the work takes place.
I do hope this clarifies matters and reassures. I will be in touch once the contractor gets back to me re firming up the working dates.
Best regards,
Alan Murphy BSc (Hons) MSc MRICS
Associate Director
Shaw & Company Ltd | 9-11 The Quadrant | Richmond | Surrey | TW9 1BP “
A diagram of the Helifix system is available below: