A LONG-AWAITED set of improvements to Oxford’s tower blocks will start early next year after city council leaders announced the name of the firm they want to complete the £20m refurbishment scheme.

The council is proposing to appoint Willmott Dixon Energy Services to complete the revamp of the five high-rise residential towers – Evenlode and Windrush in Blackbird Leys, Foresters in Wood Farm, Hockmore in Cowley, and Plowman in Northway.

The firm completed the construction work for the Leys Pools and Leisure Centre in Pegasus Road, Blackbird Leys, which opened in January.

Scott Seamons, council board member for housing and property services, said: “This is a very important and much-awaited project for the council and residents in the blocks.

“We welcome the proposed appointment of Willmott Dixon as the principal contractor for the scheme.

“They are world class developers whose capabilities can be seen in the impressive Leys Pools and Leisure Centre.

“We’ll be consulting tenants and leaseholders on the proposed contractor as well as the programme of works.”

Improvements for the towers include structural repairs, over-cladding and extra insulation, replacement of windows, new heating systems and lift refurbishments.

The communal electrics and fire safety systems will also be updated and work will also be carried out on the grounds, car parks, fencing and front entrances.

The towers were built in the 1960s and are home to about 900 people in 348 flats.

For mum-of-two Sarah Campbell, 30, who lives in Windrush Tower, the improvements cannot come soon enough.

She and her children suffer chest problems and doctors have told them this is due to damp in the flat.

She said: “It will be such a relief. Healthwise, it couldn’t come soon enough. I would say start tomorrow.

“The windows need fixing and the heating system is diabolical.

“We have storage heaters and it costs you £7 or £8 per day and kicks out lots of dust.”

Neighbour Adrian Shorter, 35, added: “I’m happy that it’s going ahead now. I would like to see the outside improved, with new windows. The tower wasn’t built to last this long.”

Willmott Dixon was chosen following a series of interviews with residents, council officers and external consultants.

Its appointment will be confirmed after 30 days.

Work is now due to start on Windrush and Evenlode towers in early 2016. Once completed, the revamp will extend the life of the flats by at least 30 years.