Croydon: Notorious Regina Road tower demolition is proving a tough task as workers open up on reality

Following widespread reports of mould and poor conditions in the 1960s-built blocks, residents voted to demolish and rebuild homes on the South Norwood estate.

Residents of flats 1-87 were all relocated throughout 2024 following the 88.1% vote to demolish the flats in the Spring of last year. Hoardings have since surrounded that block for the past few months, with demolition officially starting in January.

Demolition contractor Colemans has secured the site, which sees over 30 workers on site each day. Despite a constant buzz of activity on the site, the demolition is made difficult due to the abundance of asbestos in the building.

During a visit to the site last week, workers on site told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “There’s a lot of work needs doing here, it’s a pure asbestos building.

“I think it’s going to be many more months of work before we get rid of the lot.”

According to its own expected timelines, the council expects the demolition of flats 1-87 to be complete by August 2025.

Throughout this time, resident engagement will continue with community consultations on the design for replacement housing, plus monthly working group meetings covering topics like demolition, design, community spaces, and estate security.

Submitting a high-quality planning application is key to the Regina Road project, but other critical steps must also be addressed before. These include securing full vacant possession, further community engagement, demolition, and finding a contractor for the rebuild.

The second tower, housing flats 89 -123, is scheduled for demolition between Autumn 2025 and February 2026. According to a source in the Regina Road resident’s working group, it is now empty following the recent relocation of its last two families.

The council is now in the process of finding alternative homes for the families in the third block.

Mayor Jason Perry acknowledged Croydon’s shame after the conditions at Regina Road were exposed. The council has since approved a new direct delivery model for the project, which includes demolishing the three high-rise blocks and replacing the 191 council flats with up to 450 homes, with at least 200 council-owned.

The tower blocks were built in the 1960s using the large panel system to tackle the housing shortage, and similar accommodation is still home to around 100,000 people across the UK today.

A spokesperson from Croydon Council told the LDRS: “Work to demolish the first block at Regina Road is set to begin this month and will be completed by summer. We are working with contractors Colemans who are on site preparing for the work, which will be carried out safely and carefully. The site will be monitored for noise, dust, and vibration, and residents will continue to receive regular updates.

“The demolition is part of wider plans to regenerate the estate and build at least 225 new council homes, along with green spaces, a pre-school, and community facilities. These changes will make the area a better place to live, and we’re working closely with residents to make sure the plans reflect everyone’s needs. We’ll submit the full plans for approval in summer 2025.

“The next phase, which includes 89-123 Regina Road, will follow once the blocks are empty. We will continue working with residents to help them find new homes ahead of this next stage.”