A WOMAN claims she has been left frightened in her own home after Kirklees Council ignored pleas to replace her rusty doors.
Pauline Jameson, who lives at Ashworth Close in Sheepridge, has been writing to the council for the past year to change her front door, which she claims has been there since the block of flats was built more than 30 years ago.
Another resident was given a new door on arrival and Miss Jameson is wondering why other residents haven’t been given the same treatment.
Miss Jameson said: “The doors are far too weak and cold. A small child could knock them down with ease, it is just completely unacceptable and we should not be forced to live like this.”
Miss Jameson got up a petition, with all the names of residents on the estate.
She sent it to Clr Ken Smith, who told her it would be looked into, but 12 months on and she claims the situation is exactly the same.
Miss Jameson said: “I just want to feel safe in my own home.
“I can be sitting upstairs and still feel the draft from the door downstairs.
“I am finding it very difficult to sleep at night and I just want the problem resolved once and for all.”
Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) says it has looked into Miss Jameson’s complaints and remains firm that the doors don’t need replacing, but may need slight repairs.
A spokesperson for KNH, said: “We are sorry that Miss Jameson is unhappy with her door and have responded to her concerns on several occasions.
“Three KNH surveyors have looked at the door and determined that it doesn’t need replacing. However, it has had minor repairs to make sure that it is wind and water-tight and more secure.
“We have spoken to and written to Miss Jameson about her concerns and the petition she organised.
“We have explained that KNH will be re-surveying all doors in Kirklees over the next three years and replacing any that don’t meet our standards for safety and security.
“KNH takes its repairs obligations very seriously. However, it would not be a good use of tenants’ rent money to replace doors or other items that are deemed to be still up to standard.”
