‘We’ve been left in this mess’: residents of condemned Merseyside blocks face eviction

Fire risk at neighbouring Kirkby buildings means 24-hour safety watch is only way to protect residents – but it may end any day

Residents of two Merseyside tower blocks who have been ordered to leave after the buildings where they live were deemed unsafe say they feel “stuck” and “left behind”.

Hundreds of people living in Beech Rise and Willow Rise, which stand beside each other in Kirkby, were issued a prohibition notice by Merseyside fire and rescue service in May. It is the latest revelation of the poor conditions of many privately rented dwellings and tenants’ apparent lack of rights.