Action group formed after crane death

5:19am Monday 13th November 2006

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Not prepared to forget the crane fall disaster which shook their lives, Battersea residents in Thessaly Road came together on Tuesday night to launch an action group.

Meeting in the Patmore Club bereaved family members and residents formed the Battersea Crane Disaster Action Group (BCDAG).

The group was set up to organise demonstrations and petitions to bring justice for people who suffered on that night and who are still affected.

The specific aims for the BCDAG are: l Justice for the bereaved and residents.

l Security and safety of local residents l For the Health and Safety Executive to hold an full and immediate inspection of the site l An independent expert to be allowed to inspect the crane l Wandsworth Council to hold a full investigation into the disaster l For a Code of Practice on crane safety to become law.

The group's launch comes 40 days after the death of crane driver Jonathan Cloke and local man Michael Alexa, both killed after a the arm of a crane on a Barratt building site broke away from its mast.

Michael's dad Doru said: "People do not realise that now the pain starts - it has sunk in now. I realise he will no longer come to my door."

Michael's family came to the meeting, and his mother Liliana spoke about getting justice for her son and working with residents to demonstrate by the side of the crane site, forcing Barratt to stop work.

Since the disaster on September 27, Barratt claims it is not carrying out any significant work until the new cranes are delivered, and it would continue to keep the residents and Wandsworth Council fully informed throughout the process.

However, at Tuesday night's meeting, residents said they had seen Barratt staff working on the site and that work even took place on the day of Michael's funeral.

More than 30 people attended the meeting on Tuesday, and agreed to meet every Tuesday after that. They also set the date for another public meeting to be held on November 29 at 7pm in the Yvonne Carr Centre, Thessaly Road.

For more information contact: Julia Brandeth on julia@bwtuc.org.uk.