As part of an ongoing safety, modernisation and maintenance programme, The Pioneer Group has replaced four lifts within its Chivenor House and Topcliffe House residential blocks. The £500,000 investment in the lift upgrade is geared up to ensure a reliable service for another 20 years.

Keith Lanchbury, Head of Asset Management at The Pioneer Group, commented:

We are delighted to have the lifts working efficiently by providing a replacement that brings them up to modern standards. They were sometimes out of service due to breakdowns and repairing them was becoming difficult due to the availability of obsolete replacement parts. The two new lifts in each high-rise development will ensure the future safety and mobility of our residents, all of whom are over the age of 50.

The works were carefully planned to ensure that one lift in each block remained operational to keep disruption to the residents to a minimum.

In addition to the lift refurbishment, The Pioneer Group is currently reviewing tenders for majors works on double glazing and bathrooms across the estate.

The works, due to commence in October 2021, will see 2,500 houses and apartments on the Castle Vale Estate renovated over the next eight years. This significant financial investment in the Groups’ housing stock will ensure that residents have modern facilities for years to come.

The double glazing due to be overhauled has been in-situ for more than 20 years and therefore showing signs of its age. Meanwhile, the replacement of the bathrooms in the properties will comprise new sanitary fittings, tiling, showers, decoration and floor coverings.

A full schedule of the works will be released once the contractors for the project have been appointed.

Gas and electrical safety is critical to keep residents safe

Alongside the upgrade of Castle Vale properties, The Pioneer Group wants to remind all residents of their ongoing gas and electrics testing programme.

Keith continues:

While we understand that the works may cause inconvenience, the safety of our tenants is paramount and therefore we request that access be granted to our engineers in accordance with the terms of residents tenancy agreements.

The essential electrical testing will take approximately three hours to complete and any remedial works identified from the initial visit of our engineers will be carried out at a later date.

If any resident is unable to keep their appointment, it is mandatory to be rescheduled and agreed in advance with one of the Groups’ engineers so that they can be allocated elsewhere. All engineers will adhere to strict health and safety guidelines to ensure the health and safety of tenants.