Roof problem causing a hole lot of trouble

A FAMILY-OF-FOUR has been waiting five months for a hole in their roof to be repaired.

Martyn and Lisa Rowe reported the damage to the roof of their council-owned property in Avondale Street, Longport, Stoke-on-Trent, which was caused by high winds, in February.

The Rowes, who are both disabled, say they have made numerous calls to Kier Stoke, which took over council house repair and maintenance work in the same month.

But despite having been visited by three inspectors, and given several dates on which the work will be done, they say they have yet to see any action.

Mr Rowe, aged 38, said he was sick and tired of waiting for their roof to be repaired.

He said: “It has been going on for too long.

“During the high winds in the middle of February, part of the guttering came off, as well as the wood behind it.

“An inspector came out on March 2, and another on March 3. We were told scaffolding would need to be put up, and it should be done by April.

“No-one came out, so I rang Kier again and was told the job had been cancelled for some reason.

“So another housing inspector came to take photos of the damage, and said the work would be done on July 4.

“Again nothing happened. This has been going on since February.

“We have two daughters called Charlotte, aged 11, and seven-year-old Laura, who is disabled. In the loft there's a gaping hole at the back, which is where our daughters' bedrooms are and their rooms are always really cold.

“All the heat from the house is escaping through the hole. I've explained this to Kier, but they don't seem interested.

“We are both on disability benefits and this problem means we are wasting money.”

Mrs Rowe, aged 38, added: “It's very frustrating.

“The cold is coming into the house, and having an effect on the bills.”

The Sentinel contacted Kier, and the following day scaffolding was put up at the Rowes' house.

Mr Rowe has since reported that nothing further has been done.

He said: “Every time we've phoned the council since we moved in, we've not been able to get them to do anything at all.

“It feels as if when I phone them up I'm talking to a brick wall.”

A spokesman from Kier said the company was aware of the problem.

He said: “Our inspection revealed that there is asbestos removal works to be carried out on the guttering area of this property and this has been programmed in accordingly.

“We are aware of the tenants' circumstances and have informed them of a date in July on which these specialist works can commence.”