RESIDENTS on a new-build estate have raised concerns over the roads being unadopted seven years after the first homes were built.

People living at Wilson Howe, part of Story Homes’ Edgehill Park development in Whitehaven, fear they could be left with the responsibility of maintaining the roads.

Story Homes have assured residents that the road will be adopted ‘in due course’.

One homeowner from Wilson Howe said: “Seven years on, Story Homes have not taken out a Section 38 Agreement. All the roads are unadopted and should Story Homes go bust, the estate residents would be responsible for the upkeep of the roads.

“This would be a disaster if you are buying or selling on these estates.”

Katy Spencer, another Wilson Howe resident, said she had been trying to get another grit bin for the estate as the current one is ‘really badly placed’.

She said a fire engine was skidding trying to get to a bike that had been set alight and there was no grit to help them get close.

Mrs Spencer said she was ‘concerned’ about living on an unadopted road.

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A spokesperson for Story Homes said: “Story Homes is working collaboratively with the council to finalise the adoption of the roads, which have been designed and built to adoptable standards. Story Homes can assure residents that the roads will be adopted in due course.”

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “Cumberland Council is actively working with Story Homes to finalise the Section 38 Agreement and secure approval for the development.

“The site has been inspected by council officers throughout its construction and there are no issues with any of the highway network. The aim is to have the Agreement finalised in the early part of the upcoming year.”

If a Section 38 Agreement is put in place, the highway authority would ‘adopt’ the new roads that have been constructed as part of the development, along with associated infrastructure such as drains, lighting and supporting structures.