RESIDENTS of Tilbury's flooded tower block, Brisbane House, are getting set for a return to their homes.

A number of flats from the ground to the sixth floor have been declared safe for a return - though progress in parts of the building was hampered when another flooding incident occured.

A statement from Thurrock Council today (Friday, 19 December) says: "We have been working with flood recovery specialists, though our insurer, to get the building ready for residents to move back in as quickly as possible and good progress has been made with completing works and carrying out safety checks in flats and communal areas safety checks.  

"With electricity and running water restored throughout the building and one of the lifts now repaired and fully working, we have been able to arrange for the first households to move back into their homes before Christmas. 

"Some flats were less affected by the flooding, especially those on the lower floors, some of which had no flood damage at all. Repairs and safety checks have been completed on all 24 flats on the first six floors  and we're pleased to share that residents have been given the choice to move back in before Christmas if they want to.   

"Of those 24 flats that are now ready to  move back into, eight households have said they want to move back straight away and the remaining 16 are staying in their current accommodation until the new year when we will be working with them to move back home.  

"Officers will be on hand as people move in to help with heavy or awkward items, and there will be a team of electricians, heating engineers and a multi-trade operative in the building to take care of any issues or snagging. Black bags will be supplied for any food waste that has gone off while residents were unable to return home and caretakers will collect bags from residents to take them for disposal.  

Some families will be back in Brisbane House for Christmas.

"As residents move back in we will help with top-ups for their electricity meters of £25 so they can run heating to get their homes warmed through again. A supply of air heaters will also be on hand to immediately heat flats while storage heaters warm up.  

"Assessments of most of the other flats in the block have now been completed by the specialist contractor and necessary restoration works identified.   

"Safety checks of both electricity and water are taking place in all flats and nearly all residents have given us access to their flats so we can assess damage and start carrying out safety checks.  

"In one flat  a leak was caused when the water was turned back on, because a bath tap had been left open with the plug in the bath. The leak affected other flats and communal areas. We have used  aqua-vacs and spill kits to speed up drying out. All those whose flats have been affected have been notified. Damage caused is minor and all required repairs will be made.  

"We are keeping residents informed of progress and will continue working to get them all home as quickly as possible."