A ‘dangerously’ damaged roof which had raised concerns over peoples safety was not fixed for more than a month- until the Echo stepped in.
The home on Farwell Close in Chickerell, which is managed by The Guinness Partnership, was left in an ‘unsafe’ condition following storm damage.
The roof was badly damaged in January after tiles came flying off and crashing to the ground at the entrance of a communal door.
A member of the public, who wished to remain anonymous, and lives near to the property, contacted the Echo raising concerns about the safety of people coming in and out of the building.
They said: "This roof has now been dangerously loose and unsafe for approximately five weeks.
Tiles and debris have been falling from the second story roof since it started to fall apart well over a month ago.
“It’s about people's safety. Tiles are falling 20ft. if it was in middle of town it would be cordoned off and sorted out by now, It’s been well over a month.
“Two of the tiles have been missing for a couple of years - the roof is unsafe.
“It’s above a communal door and is the only way in or out of the building.
“Mainly in the block you have young families, women and children coming out of that doorway every day.
“It’s all loose up there. That’s why I don’t park my car there anymore, but it could be a child that gets hit.”
They had been in contact with the housing association, along with other people who live on the street several times a week to solve the problem but had got nowhere, until contacting the Echo.
They added: “The phrase ‘fobbed off, ‘ comes to mind.
“It’s a shame. You call the people who are responsible and they don’t care – it’s a shame I have had to call the paper to make someone jump.
The Echo made contact with The Guinness Partnership on Monday, February 19, after being alerted to the issue, and on Friday, February 23, the housing association confirmed that it had now replaced the tiles, which had happened in the days in between.
A spokesperson from The Guinness Partnership said: “Following storms and heavy rainfall last month we received a report of a small number of tiles falling from the roof of Farwell Crescent.
"We attended and ensured that the area had been cleared of debris. We have had no reports of further incidences of tiles falling from the roof (although we have had several reports of this same instance). We have replaced the tiles that were damaged in the storm.”
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