Folk living in a city tower block are at the end of their tether as they battle the city council over the fire safety of its windows and doors.

From doors not fit for purpose, to bolted windows, neighbours at Markham Tower in Mile Cross have been pleading with the authority to replace the faulty appliances but after years they feel they're no closer.

Norwich City Council has apologised for "falling below the high standards" of those living in the tower block and vowed to resolve the issues.

Norwich Evening News: Markham Tower, in Bowers Avenue, Mile CrossMarkham Tower, in Bowers Avenue, Mile Cross (Image: Newsquest)

Esma Feery has only lived in her ground floor flat for four months but has already recognised multiple issues, saying: "I know at least eight or nine people who have their windows screwed shut because they were collapsing on people.

"But bolting them shut brings about major fire safety risks and it's been going on for years.

"The council keep sending out contractors who order parts which don't fit and go back to the council - so we just keep going round in circles.

"There's also issues with the fire doors not being fit for purpose which poses so many problems which aren't being resolved and is affecting everyone.

Norwich Evening News: The locks on the windows in Markham TowerThe locks on the windows in Markham Tower (Image: Jo Fawkner)

"My neighbours have been fighting for years but aren't getting anywhere."

One neighbour is Jo Fawkner, who's been living in the tower block for four years and added: "I've never been able to open the windows.

"It freaked me out honestly because it's a huge fire hazard and whenever I speak to the council they say it's in the pipeline to be fixed.

"After Grenfell, we were also promised new fire doors but nothing has been done about them either.

Norwich Evening News: In September 2011 there was a fire in one of the flats at Markham Tower which caused everyone living there to be temporarily movedIn September 2011 there was a fire in one of the flats at Markham Tower which caused everyone living there to be temporarily moved (Image: Newsquest)

"It's not safe here and there's a lot of people who have just given up trying to sort it."

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In September 2011, around 80 firefighters were called to deal with a fire at Markham Tower, which led to a number of flats being damaged and all families living there being temporarily moved out.

A city council spokesman said: "We’d like to apologise to the residents at Markham Tower for falling below the high standards they expect of a landlord but would like to reassure them that we have a proactive programme in place to address the issues which have been raised.

Norwich Evening News: Those living in the tower say the fire doors are not fit for purposeThose living in the tower say the fire doors are not fit for purpose (Image: Esma Feery)

"We’re currently in the process of identifying a supplier to replace the defective handles and locking devices on some of the windows.

"As soon as we have completed this process, we’ll contact tenants affected to arrange for this work to take place.

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"We’ll then undertake surveys and inspections of the remaining properties in those blocks and undertake remedial works as necessary. 

"We’re about to pilot a replacement fire door programme, which will commence at Winchester and Normandie towers, which we’ll then roll out across the remaining six towers.

Norwich Evening News: The city council said it is looking for a supplier to replace the defective handles and locking devices on the windowsThe city council said it is looking for a supplier to replace the defective handles and locking devices on the windows (Image: Esma Feery)

"The doors that are currently installed are designated as fire doors, but due to issues identified on recent surveys, the council will be replacing all of these to ensure that the safest possible outcome is delivered.

"We’ll provide further updates to residents in the next few weeks."

In January 2023, the city council admitted it would have to put new doors in its tower blocks around the city because they "may not perform as required in the event of a fire" - with opposition councillors branding the revelation “extremely worrying”.

Norwich Evening News: Norwich City Council has apologised for falling below the high standards residents expectNorwich City Council has apologised for falling below the high standards residents expect (Image: Newsquest)

In total, 454 tower block flats will have doors replaced to meet the correct requirements. 

Sandra Bogelein, Green Party councillor, said last year: “It's extremely worrying that the council has another series of serious safety mistakes on its hands.

"This is already forecast to cost around £3m."

Norwich Evening News: Sandra Bogelein, Green Party councillor, said last year the city council have a serious problem on their handsSandra Bogelein, Green Party councillor, said last year the city council have a serious problem on their hands (Image: Newsquest)