Tenants’ fears as storm over revamprumbles on
HOUSING bosses have moved to reassure residents that delay-hit works are running to time.
But Thistle Housing tenants in Toryglen say they fear more problems with renovations being done to their homes.
And they claim repeated calls for a public meeting have been turned down.
Relations have now broken down to such a point that Thistle has sent legal letters to residents asking them to cease contact with the association.
The Evening Times first told in February how 608 properties are affected by an energy efficiency makeover that should have lasted 12 weeks but is still ongoing a year later.
Ian Paterson, who has helped spearhead the residents’ campaign was visited police who were called by the housing association in relation to a blog that has been started by residents and which details the failings of the works programme so far.
He said: “The blog is written by a collection of residents.
“But it shows how poor communications have become that police are being called to pensioners such as myself.”
Communication breakdown between some residents and the housing association have resulted in Thistle sending lawyers letters to residents asking them to cease contact.
Work to make the homes more energy efficient is being carried out by energy firm E.ON on behalf of Thistle Housing, with grant funding from Glasgow City Council.
E_ON, the contractor in charge of the works, previously told the Evening Times that all outstanding jobs would be completed by July 2017.
But residents said they have lost all faith in the housing association and today are taking their concerns to Nicola Sturgeon, who is MSP for the area.
A previous meeting with Ms Sturgeon resulted in the pledge of the works being finished by July.
Resident Janet Fullerton, said: “You feel like a clerk of works, going around, making sure everything is being done properly.
“They make you feel bad for complaining.
“They think because you live up a close they can do whatever they like.”
Resident David Crockwell has also led the campaign.
At his block, 47 Kerrycroy Avenue, work is now sup- posed to be completed but issues with the guttering mean more repairs are still to be done.
David said: “There is no way the work will be finished by the end of July and we are hearing nothing from Thistle.”
Thistle Housing has now employed a communications firm to help manage the public fallout from the works programme.
A spokeswoman said: “We continue to communicate with all residents through flyers, letters and a series of personal home visits to discuss any issues surrounding the major works and all individual face to face meetings that have been requested have taken place.”
The spokeswoman for Thistle Housing Association added: “Work is progressing on the project with July 31 remaining as the target completion date with the final phase being completed in August.”