Southwark Labour is calling on Lib Dem leader Nick Stanton to launch an urgent review of the use of asbestos as a fire retardant in the borough’s housing stock following the recent fire at Lakanal House. In a letter to Cllr Stanton, Cllr Ian Wingfield asks the leader of the council to investigate the use of asbestos to allay growing fears that fire safety measures in the housing stock may be insufficient or outdated. He has also asked the council to review what has been used to replace asbestos as a fire retardant where it has been removed.

Asbestos was commonly used as a fire retardant and insulator in housing up until the 1970s.

Southwark Labour’s housing spokeman Cllr Ian Wingfield said:

“There are growing concerns following the fire at Lakanal House that the fire safety measures in the council’s housing stock have not been properly maintained or updated. Because of the age of many of the older blocks in the borough, there may be a danger not only from fire but from the fire retardants used in the buildings.

“Residents want to know that they are safe from fire and that where asbestos has been removed it has been appropriately replaced with another effective fire retardant. But they also want to know that they’re not living with this extremely dangerous material.”