RESIDENTS in Hallings Hill, Harlow, are threatening legal action against Harlow Council, claiming poor workmanship caused considerable damage to their property.

Earlier this year the council laid concrete in front of several sheds at the flats.

Resident Jerry Lavender said: "After the work was carried out we had some heavy rain and because the concrete had been laid incorrectly the water ran into the sheds, damaging property.

"We got in touch with the council which admitted it was poor workmanship and the concrete needed to be lifted up. Nothing happened and when we inquired it said the work had been put back until October 18.

"While we were waiting for the work to be carried out we had more rain and the water was causing considerable damage. We got in touch with the council again to find out why the work still hadn't been done and it said it didn't have the staff and it was being put back until the end of November."

Mr Lavender rang the council again with an ultimatum.

"We told them if we didn't get something done then we would be taking legal action and on October 18 the contractors turned up as planned."

The workmen smashed up all the concrete and lifted it all up ready to replace it with Tarmacadam.

However after a few days the workmen had not returned to finish the job.

Mr Lavender said: "They left the site completely unsafe especially for the elderly people who live in the flats. They left holes all over the place."

Mr Lavender contacted the council again and was told to fill in a claims form to cover the cost of any damage to his property. Instead he informed the council he was going to contact the health and safety executive, his MP and local councillors.

By 5pm that evening the contractors had turned up with the Tarmacadam.

Mr Lavender said: "It's a continuing saga with Harlow Council. They have a lack of respect for their customers, lack of commitment and their attitude is unbelievable. The sooner this council is out the better. The service is abysmal. We have been messed about and residents have substantial claims against them."Council spokesperson Lynne Maidment said: "We've tried not to inconvenience residents by laying the platform of concrete but appreciate that this has not worked.

"There is a major problem with access to this site and work has to be carried out by hand. A surveyor visited the site on Tuesday to see what further work needs to be carried out. Once the options have been identified residents will be consulted."

November 6, 2001 17:52