Will Forster writes to Alex Norris MP - Junior Minister for Building and Fire Safety

Dear Alex,

I am writing to take you up on your kind offer to discuss building safety and accountability of the construction industry, and potential changes to the Building Safety Act.

As you might know, my constituency of Woking has been plagued by continuing failings of the construction industry for some time.

The Hilton Hotel, constructed by the developers Sir Robert McAlpine, was not only four years delayed in opening due to cladding fixture problems, but has continued to cause havoc on the town because the cladding falls off every time there is a slight gust of wind.

This leads to the main road in Woking to be closed. Once, it opened for just eleven days – much to the relief of Woking residents – only to close again.

Residents in my constituency are facing huge traffic chaos - delays in their commutes, school runs – all because the developers could not ensure that the cladding panels and fixtures were fit for purpose in the first place.

For context – this is a building that is over 20 floors and next to the main road in Woking. It was designed to put Woking on the map, by bringing commerce to the town. However, it has put Woking on the map for all the wrong reasons.

Just a stone's throw away there is another building safety issue following failures of the construction industry.

In late 2023, over 100 residents of the building Eastgate were evacuated from their homes after an appraisal report identified significant structural defects and stated it is not safe. The residents and businesses in that building are still not able to return - Eastgate remains abandoned, a visual and stark reminder of the failings in building safety.

Yet, the developer has been able to get away with this.

There isn’t a strong oversight of regulation. The Building Safety Act does not go far enough. Construction companies are cutting corners and passing the buck onto businesses, residents, and local councils – anyone but them.

I would like to formally discuss how we can hold the construction industry to account. I am deeply concerned that with the ambitious building targets the Government has laid out during this Parliament, right now the country will be burdened with unfit homes and buildings for the future.

Please reply to me at your earliest convenience.

Best wishes,
Will Forster 
MP for Woking