WORK has begun to remove the cladding on two tower blocks in Blackbird Leys.

Oxford City Council is stripping the existing rain-screen cladding at Evenlode and Windrush towers to make way for it to be replaced with non-flammable material.

The new 'Opus Euroclad' cladding is being installed to ensure the towers are in line with Government requirements that were updated after the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Fortem, the Council’s contractors on the £21million tower blocks repairs project, will carry out the recladding works which are planned to be completed by July. 

The extra work is expected to cost £1million. 

Cllr Mike Rowley, Board Member for Housing, said: “I’m delighted that re-cladding works have now begun at Windrush and Evenlode towers.

"This will put to rest concerns about the safety of the tower blocks as residents will be reassured by the knowledge that their homes now meet all aspects of fire safety as prescribed by the Government and indeed exceed requirements as sprinklers have also been installed."