Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation’s project manager for the Grenfell Tower refurbishment was frustrated by main contractor Rydon’s slow progress with the job and felt “let down” by advisor Artelia, the probe into 2017’s fatal fire has heard.

Claire Williams told yesterday’s Grenfell Tower Inquiry hearing that she had been actively involved in a formal complaint sent to Rydon regeneration director Stephen Blake in March 2016, when the project was less than two months away from its target practical completion date.

The complaint was penned by Neil Reed of consultant Artelia, who was acting as KCTMO’s employer’s agent. It said both the TMO and Artelia felt the main contractor “could and should be doing more in the run-up to completion”. It cited key staff – including Blake – being transferred away from the project and detailed concerns about meeting attendance and handover issues.

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