A MULTI-million pound scheme to upgrade Southampton tower blocks has been stopped while an investigation is carried out into concerns about the work.

City housing bosses and British Gas has told sub-contractor Lawtech to down tools at the International Way high-rises in Weston just days into work beginning following complaints.

An inspection is now being carried after which Lawtech may be ordered to put right any below standard work.

The firm, which trades on delivering “high quality installations”, has a £9m contract to refurbish six blocks which includes making them warmer and environmentally friendly.Residents claim workmen have left homes covered in dust, carried out bad plastering and installed badly fitting windows.

There are also safety concerns over exposed heating pipes.

This comes after reports that children as young as nine were climbing up 100ft scaffolding erected on the towers as part of the improvement work which is expected to last until December.

Andre Walker, 56, of Hampton Towers, said his new windows had been left exposed to the wind and rain because they did not fit.

He said: “I pay rent and expect my home to be of a liveable standard. Every tenant I have spoken to has said the improvement work is a total mess. The most important issue is that none of the low fixture of the hot water supply copper pipes will be covered and may burn people.”

Councillor Peter Baillie, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “We are sorry that the work has not been to the standards we expect for our tenants.

“We want to ensure that any issues raised by tenants are fully investigated and any problems resolved as quickly as possible.”

The city council has promised, as part of the quality assurance process agreed with British Gas, that workmen would return to ensure the windows were weather tight.

The city council’s newly elected leader Councillor Richard Williams, who is ward councillor for the area, said he wants a full inquiry into the whole process.

Cllr Richard Williams, said: “I am going to take some advice on taking a transparent, independent inquiry. The local people of Weston deserve some proper answers.

“I think the work is really shoddy and we have been really concerned about it.

Everywhere I have gone people have been unhappy. Let’s treat our tenants and residents properly.”

British Gas, which has subcontracted Lawtech to carry out the work on behalf of the city council, said engineers would be inspecting the work.

Its spokeswoman Lucy Coyle said: “We are unaware of any issues or concerns about the piping. British Gas representatives will be on site to speak to residents who have any concerns.”

The complaints about workmanship were put to Lawtech but it did not comment on them individually.

The firm’s business development manager David Smith said: “As a company, Lawtech take customer needs and health and safety seriously.

“We always review the programme and the works regularly to ensure the work is of the highest quality and safe.”