Kensington and Chelsea Council has signed off a £74 million contract for a comprehensive refurbishment of Barandon Walk, Hurstway Walk and Testerton Walk on the Lancaster West Estate.

The decision is a major step in the borough's long-term pledge, made in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, to provide safer, warmer and more energy-efficient homes for residents.

Planned works include new triple-glazed windows, external wall insulation, fire-safety enhancements, upgraded heating and ventilation systems, and wider building improvements that have been co-designed with residents.

Kensington and Chelsea Council Leader, Cllr Elizabeth Campbell said: "We are keeping our promise to residents and moving forward with delivering the Walkways refurbishment in full.

"This is one of the most significant resident-led retrofit and safety programmes in the country and reflects years of co-design, planning and partnership working with residents.

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"We continue to have constructive discussions with Government regarding the wider Lancaster West programme and future funding arrangements. While the Government has provided support, funding for the full estate-wide vision has not yet been confirmed at the level required to deliver everything originally envisaged in one phase.

"We are therefore continuing detailed work across the rest of the estate, working closely with the Lancaster West Residents' Association, to identify what can realistically be delivered, while remaining true to the spirit of the commitments made to residents following the Grenfell tragedy. That includes focusing on safety, energy-efficiency and long-term investment in the neighbourhood."

Hon. Alderman, Mushtaq Lasharie CBE, Chair of the Lancaster West Residents' Association, said: "We welcome the Council's approval of the Walkways main refurbishment works. After many years of engagement and co-design with residents, this programme remains central to the commitments made to the Lancaster West community following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

"We will continue working closely with the Council and central government to help secure the funding needed to deliver the wider improvements promised across the rest of the estate. We look forwards to completing these works on time as efficiently as possible."

The Council said it remains in constructive dialogue with central government about funding for the broader Lancaster West programme and will keep working with the Lancaster West Residents' Association to decide what can be delivered across the rest of the estate in line with resident commitments.