AN ACTION plan to stop a repeat of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in Greater Manchester has been unveiled.

A feasibility study into the retrofitting of sprinklers in residential high rises and a call for the fire service to be consulted at all stages of a building’s life cycle are part of the proposals put forward by Greater Manchester’s High Rise Task Force to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The Task Force was set up by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham following the Grenfell fire to provide reassurance to thousands of local residents living in high rises across the city-region.

More than 500 tower blocks in Greater Manchester have since been inspected, including five managed by Bolton at Home.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett, who is leading the Task Force, said: “Greater Manchester has not shied away from addressing the fire safety challenges highlighted following the Grenfell Tower tragedy but we also need Government to step up and provide the funding and resources we need to swiftly and effectively carry out this work, particularly around the replacement of cladding systems and retrofitting of sprinkler systems.

“Public bodies and emergency services are already struggling as a result of budget cuts and austerity; Government needs to act now to remove any barriers to keeping people safe.”