By Julie Morgan

Last updated at 11:30, Thursday, 20 September 2012

ANGRY elderly residents are too scared to hang their washing out due to “lethal’’ moss covering the areas near to their homes.

call for action: Four of the angry residents in the back yard behind their George Street properties, group spokesperson Anne Campbell (in blue) with, from the left, Elizabeth Glingan, Sadie Tunstall and Madeline McCartney

The residents of George Street flats, most of whom are pensioners, feel intimidated by the condition of the large yard which prevents them using it to socialise.

Thick moss has grown over the large concrete area behind the flats and over the steps leading to the area. It is also over the pathways which link the back of the flats. The building is owned by Home Group, with residents either renting the flats or owning them on leasehold.

Madeline McCartney, 85, said: “We are scared to hang out our washing because it is so slippery. We are terrified one of us will fall.’’

Anne Campbell, 80, another resident, said: “Home has put new carpets down but the mess, made by the moss outside, just tramples in.

“We just want to be able to sit outside in the area and enjoy the fresh air, but it is also covered in moss so we can’t anymore. We feel it is lethal across that area and it will only get worse during the winter.’’

The women are concerned about the moss which is falling from the blocked guttering above the flats, covering the pathways and blocking the drains.

Mrs Campbell added: “It doesn’t matter how hard we try and clean it up, it doesn’t get any better.’’

Residents were also angry that painters, who had recently worked at the back of the flats had failed,to remove their paint scrapings which was adding to the general mess.

Following a phone call from The Whitehaven News, John Bowker, Home Group’s head of customer services property, said: “We’re sorry that painting work carried out in George Street has left the area untidy.

“We’ll ask the contractors who carried out the work to go back and clean the area. We will make sure that moss from areas near the properties is also cleared. We’ve not received a request to clean gutters.

“Roofing work which we are planning for George Street will include a roof covering which will prevent moss from growing and blocking gutters.’’

Any Home Group customer who wants to report repairs should call 0345 141 4663.

First published at 11:06, Thursday, 20 September 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk