If they can't take the heat...

Photo - Rob Browne

We've already written a fair amount about Barton House, a council housing block in the east of Bristol where residents were evacuated because of concerns about the structural integrity of the building. This is the our most recent post about the situation: The continuing saga of Barton House 25.11.23. The crisis is ongoing with many residents facing long stays in unsuitable, below standard hotel accommodation before finding out when, or even if, they'll be allowed to return to their homes. What's exacerbating the situation is the poor level of communication between Bristol City Council and the evacuated residents. A level of communication that has done nothing to assuage the fears of the residents about their future. Understandably, feelings are running pretty high at the moment.

On Tuesday 12^th November, there was a full meeting of Bristol City Council at City Hall. Residents of Barton House, some of who are members of ACORN, a community action group, were in attendance in the public gallery. Understandably, they wanted to ask questions to the assembled councillors and officers about how much longer they have to wait before they can return to their homes. Given the way the residents have been treated by the council so far, it's not surprising that their frustration is starting to turn to anger. There were a number of altercations during the course of the meeting which are covered in this report: Angry scenes in City Hall as protesters confront mayor - Alex Seabrook and Martin Booth | B24/7 | 12.12.23.

It was claimed by a number of councillors, and also by Alex Seabrook, that the behaviour of the ACORN activists was 'intimidating'. When you've been moved out of your home at short notice, been put in sub standard hotel accommodation and cannot get a clear answer as to when, or even if, you'll be able to return to living in your home, how are you supposed to react? Not having a clue what the future holds for you when your life is on hold brings on the kind of gnawing mental and physical health wrecking stress that never leaves you alone for one minute. When you're under stress like that and you’re getting fobbed off by the council, it's perfectly understandable that voices are going to get raised. Or to put it more bluntly, there's only so much shite people can take before something snaps. Anyway, this is the statement released by ACORN with their account of events:

What unfolded at City Hall on Tuesday 12^th November showed the gulf between hard pressed, long suffering and frustrated residents on the one hand, and on the other, too many councillors and officers who don't have much of a clue as to what life is like at the sharp end. For some of them to claim they felt 'intimidated' is a bit of a sick joke to be honest. They know they've got secure homes to go to. Conversely, it would appear they haven't got a sodding clue about what it's like for someone who doesn't know if they'll ever be able to live in their homes again and where they're going to end up being rehoused. If these councillors and officers can't empathise with residents in a highly stressful and distressing situation, they really do need to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror. Because if they can't take the heat, they need to find something else to do with their lives...