Balconies of some 160 Breda apartments at risk of collapse

Residents of all apartments in the Brabantpark area  of Breda were informed on Tuesday that their balconies are not safe. Housing association WonenBreburg sent the residents of 160 apartments a letter advising them not to step onto the balconies because they may collapse. A total of 320 balconies' safety can not be guaranteed, Omroep Brabant reports.

This involves all apartment buildings on Jadestraat, Smaradstraat, Beverweg, Monseigneur Leijtenstraat, Turkooishof and Agaststraat. A scheduled inspection on Tuesday revealed to WonenBreburg that the concrete balcony floors are not strong enough. 

As a precaution, the housing association decided to advise residents to completely keep off the balconies. "We decided to err on the side of caution", Eva Boon of WonenBreburg said to Omroep Brabant.

On Wednesday support poles will be placed under the balconies as a temporary solution while a permanent one is being sought. 

Balkons van 160 woningen in Breda onveilig, bewoners mogen balkon niet op. Bewoners kregen deze brief https://t.co/x7BIZqQ193 pic.twitter.com/ISQqNG6xez

— Omroep Brabant (@omroepbrabant) March 7, 2017