West Acton residents fear collapse as subsidence continues

Tenants at the West Acton block on Hanger View Way told the BBC that cracks have widened, bricks have loosened and a front door fell out of its frame, hitting Cameron Kermani, who lives on the ground floor. The incident occurred in the early hours of a recent morning.

Background to the subsidence

The first complaints about possible ground movement were lodged in 2002, according to residents. Michael Brady, who moved into the block in 2006, said he reported cracks and peeling wallpaper to Peabody in 2017. He added that leaks, black mould and visible shifts in the structure have worsened over the years.

Peabody, the housing association that owns the development, has repeatedly stated that the properties are safe for occupation. In a spokesperson's comments to the BBC, the firm said a tree on adjacent school land is responsible for the ground movement and that it is working with the school to have the tree felled.

A tree was removed in 2022, but residents say the problems persisted. Peabody now points to a different tree as the source of the ongoing subsidence. The association said it will keep monitoring the building while carrying out repairs to doors, windows and structural cracks.