NEIGHBOURS say work to improve their estate has turned the area into a “wasteland”.

Residents around Oakley Drive, Bromley Common, prepared themselves for a few months of upheaval when work started in January.

But they did not expect the grass verges would be close to ruin and rubble would be strewn around the streets six months later.

Retired police officer Geoffrey Padgham, 50, said: “It’s worse now than when the contractors started.

“It has been turned from a picturesque estate into a wasteland. The state of the verges and greens is so bad topsoil and seed will be insufficient.” Bromley Council has apologised for the time contractors O’Rourke have taken to complete the job, citing staff shortages and “technical issues”.

A spokesman said: “We pride ourselves on providing first-class pavements for pedestrians. Rest assured our contractor is only paid for satisfactory work.

“Work which does not meet this is undertaken at the contractor’s expense.

“We will be using seed to ensure the grass does grow back.” A spokesman for the Sydenham-based contractor says the work is due to be completed in three weeks.