After claims from a builder that residents of Rock Street are happy with work done on their homes, I spoke to more residents. Some reiterated the complaints about work and the attitudes of the workers, contracted by Frank Haslam Milan, which we reported in ‘Rock Street Rumbles’ in the October 2005 issue. However, others were much more positive.
Some residents were waiting for the end of the work to raise complaints. The concern not to seem ‘ungrateful’ for the free work was another recurring issue. Elsewhere, complaints were apparently met with sarcastic comments from builders such as: “Why don’t we just build you a new house?” Their intimidating attitudes were also mentioned again, as were comments that much of the promised (and agreed) work has been cancelled. The word on the street is that the money has run out. However, the Council told us that promised work was only cancelled in one case and this was for health and safety reasons. They admitted they had gone over budget but added more funding has been found. As one resident acknowledged:
“I know there have been bad experiences, but there are some good experiences too – and mine is one! One Council officer met up with me and discussed everything. She even asked if she could help with anything else It’s difficult organising something on a large scale like this. I think she’s done a very good job.”
Another resident whose experience was ‘very positive’ said: “The builders were really respectful of my property. I even gave them my keys because they gained my trust.”
Acknowledging the less satisfactory experiences of some of her neighbours she raised a pertinent question: “Why can’t everyone’s experience be like mine?” She suggested it is poor planning and management of the scheme more than poor workmanship that have caused dissatisfaction.
Yet the question of the workmen’s attitudes towards some residents still remains. “We have taken up the issue of intimidation by workmen,” David Shepherd, Programme Director at the Council said. “This is very rare. The particular incident brought to our attention by the Messenger has been dealt with, and the contractors have taken strong, appropriate action with the workman in question.”
The Council note the scheme was due to finish at the end of October 2005. As we went to press the Clerk of Works was inspecting the work and a representative from Frank Haslam Milan said: “We will be revisiting every property to ensure that all residents are satisfied before we leave the site.”
There are certainly lessons to be learnt from Rock Street residents’ experiences. Perhaps if consistency in the quality of workmanship and execution of plans was maintained throughout the whole street and from the start, if managers communicated more effectively with the workmen, listened more and appreciated the residents’ views, then I would be able to write a more wholly positive report.
by Kate Atkinson