New windows hope dashed for Gidea Park tenants
A tenant in a Gidea Park council block has criticised the council for raising and then dashing her hopes about having her windows replaced.
Residents of Mountbatten House on Elvet Avenue say the windows are unsafe and leak heat.
Joan Baker was sent a letter by council leader Michael White on June 8 which said: “I have been assured by senior management in Homes in Havering that window renewal work will be taking place across the borough during this financial year.”
But then after Homes in Havering contacted her only stating that her bathroom would be replaced this financial year she contacted Cllr White again.
He replied in a letter at the end of July that the windows would not be repaired until either the 2012/13 or 2013/14 financial year.
Cllr White added: “These blocks have been the subject of a detailed report prepared some time ago when the backlog funding bid was prepared and due regard was given to timings and logistics.”
Mrs Baker said: “When I got the letter the letter from Homes in Havering I said “I don’t want my bathroom done, I want my windows done. I’ve been waiting over 15 years for them to be done, they are just an accident waiting to happen.”
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Other residents were also angry at the state of their windows.
Rita Barrett, 55, said: “I moved here about 16 years ago and think everyone on this estate would have something to say about the windows. They ice up in the winter and it’s not safe. I would consider borrowing money to get the windows done myself.”
Daphne Norris, 85, said: “If they don’t get on and do something soon I won’t be here to see it.”
A spokesman for Havering Council said: “We plan to consult Mountbatten residents on their new windows in early 2012 and look to finish the works by autumn 2012.
“While this process is starting in this financial year (2011/12), the actual works will be completed during the following financial year (2012/13).
“All the windows in tower blocks across the borough are in need of replacement and a programme of work has already been started to address this.”
Cllr Lesley Kelly, cabinet member for housing, said: “We understand why some residents may be frustrated by the length of time involved. We are working as fast as we possibly can to complete this work.”
