More than 3,000 council homes and 57 blocks of flats in Newcastle have been identified as having staircases with horizontal guarding, a design now considered a serious safety risk. Newcastle City Council confirmed that these outdated staircases, which do not meet modern building standards, pose a category one hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
The horizontal guarding design can endanger children, who may climb the panels and risk falling or becoming trapped. The council has already begun "removal works" to address the issue and aims to replace staircases in the 57 communal blocks by August.
Letters have also been sent to residents of 3,323 affected properties, informing them of the situation. "They will be contacted directly once their replacement works are scheduled," a council spokesperson stated.
This discovery follows Newcastle City Council's takeover of its 25,000-strong social housing stock from the now-dissolved Your Homes Newcastle in 2024. Since then, the council has identified 16 areas where its housing stock fails to meet updated standards introduced by the Regulator of Social Housing.
While progress is underway, this issue highlights the importance of aligning housing infrastructure with modern safety standards to protect residents and prevent future risks. Residents are encouraged to stay informed as the council continues its efforts to upgrade and modernize affected properties.
