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Work to install new lifts at the Westgate Gardens high rise blocks in Keighley will be given a 100 tonnes boost next week.

In June, teams from construction firm, Wates Living Space started foundation work to build lift shafts at Ebor Court, North Beck House and Quebec House. The three shafts will carry two lifts each up the rear elevation of the 10-storey blocks and replace the old interior lift system.

The scheme marks the final phase of £3.4 million of improvements by Incommunities which have included fully modernising 120 flats at the blocks. Further improvements have been carried out to the area around the flats including fitting new fencing, gates, seating, improved lighting and landscaping work.

On Wednesday 27Aug a giant 100 tonne crane will start lifting concrete sections weighing 1.5 tonnes each into place to create the new lift shaft at Quebec House. The concrete tower will be erected in two operations with each operation taking five days. The second operation to complete the lift shaft at Quebec House will start on 18 September. The construction of the other two lift shafts will follow a similar sequence.

On 3 Sept work will start on building a lift shaft at Ebor Court using a 160 tonne crane. The same crane will start work on North Beck House on 10 Sept.

As part of the lift scheme, Wates Living Space are also refurbishing the communal areas in each block on behalf of Incommunities. The work will involve fitting new lighting, flooring, rewiring work and replacement fire alarms. Redecorating work will also be carried out.

The redundant internal lift shafts will be turned into refuse bin chutes linked to a bin store on the ground floor of each block.

The new lifts and communal area improvements are due to be completed by May 2009.

Zabair Rasul, Director of Incommunities - aire-wharfe office said: “The sight of giant cranes creating the lift towers at Westgate Gardens promises to be an impressive image of the multi million improvements carried out by Incommunities over the past two years. The concrete lift shafts have been designed for a state-of-the-art lift system which will benefit tenants and visitors to the three blocks. It is in line with the latest disability access regulations. However, using these cranes on site will mean some unavoidable temporary road closures starting on 27 August and I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause people.”

The construction work will involve the following temporary road closures:-

Aireworth Street – temporarily closed from 00.01 hrs, 27 August to 7pm 2 September and 00.01 hrs, 18 Sept to 7pm 24 Sept. The road will be reopened for weekends between these dates. Note – Access to the health centre on Aireworth Street will be maintained throughout via Oakworth Road at all times. Access will be maintained throughout to the tenant’s car park at North Beck House and the car park at Farish House. Residents will have access to and from their homes at all times and will be able to use the parking at the top of Aireworth Street as normal.

Damside - temporarily closed from 00.01hrs, 3 Sept to 7pm on 17 Sept and 00.01 hrs, 25 Sept to 7pm on 8 October. The road will be reopened for weekends between these dates. Access will be maintained to the public house at all times.

All businesses in the area of the temporary road closures have been informed by letter of the temporary road closures. All residents have been informed this month of the works. Plans of the temporary road closure are displayed in each block.