Families who have been waiting nearly two years for repairs to their houses have criticised Bradford council for its lack of action.

Nine tenants living in Elmwood Road, on the Bracken Bank estate, say they have been forgotten by Bradford council because their houses are tucked away out of sight. The houses were originally scheduled for refurbishment in October 1996, but progress has been slow due to cuts in Bradford council's housing investment budget.

Many of the tenants say their houses are now unfit for habitation, with metal cladding falling off, windows about to drop out and damp on the walls.

Ann Edmondson and Julie Sharp say their children's health is suffering as a consequence.

Julie says: "All of the other houses in the area have been done and we are paying the same rent as everyone else. I think it is disgusting the way we have all been treated. My 16-month-old son Mason has had a terrible cold which he just can't shake off. My other son, Jake, who is five, suffers from asthma. I have been told by my health visitor that the condition of the house is playing a part."

Ann continues: "When my daughter Levi was born I had to sleep downstairs with her for the first five weeks because the bedroom upstairs was just too cold. She has also suffered from a persistent cold on her chest and I am sure the damp on the walls and the gaps in the windows have a lot to do with it."

Work costing £15,000 a house has been completed on more than half of the 41 properties earmarked for refurbishment. They have had metal cladding removed and replaced by pebble dashing, and new windows, doors, kitchens, central heating and burglar alarms fitted.

Cllr Jim O'Neill, deputy chairman of Bradford council's Housing and Environmental protection Committee, responds: "The council remains committed to refurbishing the remaining 20 properties on the Bracken Bank estate, but we have had to delay our plans to complete the work in the financial year because we do not have enough resou-rces to do it. We will be discussing this issue with the Keighley and District Tenants Federation so that we can work towards an agreeable solution."

to the problem.'

The houses were built by the British Iron and Steel Housing Federation in 1948, and were supposed to have a 25-year life.

Residents are to meet with councillors Steve Thomas and John Prestage this week to discuss the problem.

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