'Forgotten five' slam council over maintenance problems

[dutchman]

Residents from five Bedworth bungalows have slammed a council for the lack of maintenance on their homes.



Bungalows in Cadman Close have paint peeling off the fascias and soffits and rusting stench pipes outside.

According to residents, the dilapidated properties have been like that for years - despite them contacting Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council numerous times asking for the issue to be fixed.

Richard Waller, who lives in one of the bungalows, said: "This is supported housing meaning we're all pensioners or disabled. We do try to keep it nice, but there's only so much we can do.

"I've lived here since 2007 and we haven't had any planned maintenance since then. The flaking paint blows off in the wind, and if you have the windows open it comes into the house.

"We call ourselves the forgotten five - they've just spent thousands on the adjoining flats, but haven't done anything for us."

Mr Waller said that he has contacted the council several times over the years, but nothing has been done.

"After being here for a year, I've complained about it every year since and every time they've told me it will be sorted but nothing has been done."

The latest issue the residents are facing is a problem with the fencing - a section of which has fallen down.

Mr Waller added: "The fencing is coming down at the back and at the other side of that is a jitty.

"This has been reported to the council and I was told that it would be fixed by the end of summer.

"But we're all vulnerable in some way here, and his just leaves us open to burglars."

Bede ward councillor Bill Hancox agrees that maintenance work needs to take place and has already been in contact with the local authority's maintenance department.

He said: "The fascias and soffits are in dire need of being done. It doesn't take much to see that it hasn't been done in a while.

"I've been in contact with someone about this and was told that a two year programme has just started.

"There have been a lot of improvements in this area, but the residents like to take pride in their properties so the work needs to be done.

"Now that I know about the fence, I will be chasing this up as well."

A spokesperson for Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: "We appreciate the frustrations of the residents in Cadman Close, as the fascias and soffits don't look how we'd like.

"These bungalows are on our replacement programme and they will be looking vastly better by the end of August this year.

"In the last financial year the council replaced the fascias and soffits to 187 dwellings, dealing with those in the perceived worst condition first and will continue to invest to improve the housing stock benefiting the residents within the borough.

"As for the fence, this is an ongoing issue and for the past two years our parks team have been battling with the Japanese knotweed which as it grows up the fence will ultimately pull down the fence.

"The residents are well aware of the situation and we are due to treat the knotweed shortly.

"This knotweed is particularly difficult to dispose of but we will continue to treat is until we get to a stage where we can dispose of it."