Story by: ELAINE KING RESIDENTS of a new Christchurch housing estate are furious that pavements and roads have been left unfinished by developers – and they may have to foot the bill to get the work done. Hazelmere Homes have gone bust, and neither, Fenla

Story by: ELAINE KING

RESIDENTS of a new Christchurch housing estate are furious that pavements and roads have been left unfinished by developers - and they may have to foot the bill to get the work done.

Hazelmere Homes have gone bust, and neither, Fenland District Council or Cambridgeshire County Council are responsible for finishing the scheme.

There have been claims of a wheelchair user being tipped out after colliding with raised iron works on the estate, and resident Graham Baxter - who uses crutches after undergoing five knee operations - claims he tripped and fell near his home.

"I could not get up myself, but fortunately a car stopped, and two ladies helped me up," he said. "I don't think residents should have to pay to get the work finished."

A young mum claimed that the estate pavements are so dangerous that she cannot push her eight-month year old daughter along them in her pushchair, so is forced to use the road.

The woman's husband was adamant that residents should not have to pay for works to be completed. "We have already paid for it, why should be pay again?" he said.

Resident Margaret Beswick said: "It is very dangerous for old people. Some street lights are not working, it is pitch dark when we come home in the evening."

Christchurch Parish Council has been chasing the developers for more than 12 months, and recently held talks with representatives from Fenland District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.

"Everyone seems to have washed their hands of it," said parish council chairman Will Sutton. "It seems it is down to the people who own the properties.

"Fenland District Council say they have no power to force the work to be finished, and the county council has no power to complete the works. It is a shocking mess down there."

Despite our best efforts, no one from Hazelmere Homes could be traced to make a comment.

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