Nine tower blocks in Salford use cladding containing a material similar to that in Grenfell Tower, the council has confirmed.

There are around 40 blocks across the city run by three housing associations, along with management company Pendleton Together.

Nine blocks operated by Pendleton Together on behalf of the council have cladding containing aluminium composite material. Similar cladding was used in Grenfell Tower.

Precautionary steps are now being taken by Pendleton Together - who say that fire risk assessments are up to date on all their blocks - until investigations are completed.

A spokesman for Pendleton Together said: “We are aware that our residents are asking a number of questions about the cladding used to refurbish the Pendleton blocks. We appreciate that this is obviously a matter of real concern to Pendleton residents and their families.

“The cladding used in Pendleton is Aluminium Composite Material (ACM). This was fitted correctly to the manufacturer’s specification and certified by an independent expert.

“We can confirm that all fire risk assessments for the Pendleton blocks are up to date and, to reassure our residents on Friday of last week, we announced an independent review. This review will examine the refurbishment work and our ongoing safety practices and will be undertaken by independent safety experts.”

(Image: PA)

Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, one of the housing associations in Salford, said: “Following our preliminary investigations, and based on what we know from the tragic events in West London, where cladding systems are used on our tower blocks, they are different to those used on Grenfell Tower.

“Salix Homes is working very closely with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett as part of the GM Task Force and we will be acting upon any lessons learnt from the Grenfell Tower inquiry and the GM-wide investigations.

“The GM-wide investigations are in their early stages, but we have already carried out our own preliminary investigations and checks at all 18 of our tower blocks and we can reassure residents living in our high rise buildings that they all meet strict Fire Safety Regulations and we carry out regular inspections and risk assessments, alongside fire safety assessors, to ensure the safety of our customers."

(Image: Daily Mirror)

Mr Sugden added: “On Wednesday we held a Home Safety Day in our tower blocks where we delivered letters and Home Safety Guides to every resident and we had officers on hand to answer any questions or queries.

“We are also supporting the Government programme to supply sample material from our tower blocks, which has been ordered by the Department of Communities and Local Government. Contractors started on site today (Thursday, June 21) to remove sample material for testing.

“We would urge any of our residents who do have concerns to contact us on 0800 218 2000 or email enquiries@salixhomes.org.”

City West housing association also operate some tower blocks in Salford.

Nigel Sedman, Director of Investment and Regeneration at ForViva, of which City West is a group member, said: “City West Housing Trust manages 12 high-rise blocks in Salford which have undergone internal and external refurbishment over the last seven years.

“Materials used during these works carried necessary accreditations and work has been fully inspected and signed off by experienced surveyors. In addition, we have detailed and robust Fire Safety Policies and arrangements in place to meet legislative requirements, which are regularly reviewed.

“Nevertheless, we have completely cooperated with The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) who have requested that we provide samples of cladding used as part of the testing that is being undertaken nationally.

“Work to remove sample pieces has now started and will be completed early next week. We have informed customers about this work and will continue to update them as soon as we receive feedback from DCLG.”

The number of privately-run tower blocks in Salford has not yet been confirmed.