Repair work on Sunderland tower block nears completion - two years after Storm Arwen damage

Keith Jenkins of Hodgson Sayers at Australia Tower.

The 15-story Australia Tower, in Silksworth, felt the full force of the winds – which reached 100mph in places – in November 2021.

Housing group Gentoo called in roofing specialists Hodgson Sayers to repair the damage.

The firm – based in Stanley, County Durham – was initially asked to replace part of the damaged roofing but, on closer inspection, it became clear that the whole of one of the two roofs on the building, needed to be replaced, with people still living in block.

The firm says the £500,000 project is now nearing completion.

Contracts manager, Keith Jenkins, said: “Clearly, this then became a major project and scaffolding was erected around the whole of the building.

“Whilst replacing the roofing has been a challenge, the key priority throughout has been the health and safety of tenants, the general public and, of course, our staff, sub-contractors and suppliers."

The scaffolding work was itself a challenge.

Mr Jenkins added: “This needed to be fully designed and tests carried out before being put in place. The ground had to be thoroughly assessed to ensure it could safely hold the weight and distribution of the scaffold.

"Advise was given by structural engineers to where scaffold anchors should be tied in around the building and pull-tests took place at these locations to test the integrity of the scaffold ties.

"A bridging section also had to be put in place over soft ground to take the weight off the overall scaffold load.”

He added: “We have worked very closely with Gentoo, who have had a focus throughout on ensuring we communicate regularly and in detail with tenants.

“We have also ensured the site is professional and well managed and are mindful, at all times, that we are operating directly within where people live.”

Hodgson Sayers is a specialist roofing, building maintenance and security products company, that operates nationally – employing over 100 staff and working in the utilities, housing, heritage, education and healthcare sectors.