Letter: Tower blocks

Letter: Tower blocks

Sir: It is all too obvious to blame architects for tower blocks that fail (Letters, 28 July), but this is simplistic and misleading. Much more often than poor design, it is lack of maintenance that causes blocks to decline.

This is recognised in Hackney where the remaining block is to be redecorated, made secure and, most important, given a live-in caretaker.

Properly cared for tower blocks, like the one I rent a flat in, can be pleasant, friendly and convenient places to live. Councils that realise that tower blocks are not a cheap and nasty housing option can take advantage of the fact that changing demographics - more single people, childless people and old people - make them an increasingly appropriate form of housing in towns and cities.

PAMELA WOOLNER

Newcastle-upon-Tyne