VIDEO: Goldthorpe estate's wobbly walls branded a death risk

A RESIDENT who feared his estate’s wobbly walls could kill a passer-by has thanked the Weekender for getting a grip on the problem — but slammed developers for taking so long to tackle it.
Ras Armstrong showing a wobbly wall in Goldthorpe which he has raised concerns about.Ras Armstrong showing a wobbly wall in Goldthorpe which he has raised concerns about.
Ras Armstrong showing a wobbly wall in Goldthorpe which he has raised concerns about.

A RESIDENT who feared his estate’s wobbly walls could kill a passer-by has thanked the Advertiser for getting a grip on the problem — but slammed developers for taking so long to tackle it.

Ras Armstrong, whose brother was injured as a child in a building site accident, said he was angry Avant Homes had not taken seriously his concerns about unstable garden walls at its new Bella estate in Goldthorpe.

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Within days of the Advertiser contacting Avant, the firm put temporary fences around at least one other wall and called on other residents to raise any concerns they may have.

Mr Armstrong, of Pearwood Close, said: “I have been raising this since November but they have not dealt with it.

“I’m grateful the Weekender has been able to make something happen but I am angry it has taken a call to the Press for Avant to act.”

 

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Mr Armstrong said his own garden wall had been rebuilt after he pointed out that the tall columns between wooden sections on the upper part of the wall were not solid.

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When we visited the estate this week, he showed us sections of walls in other gardens that were also wobbly (you can see a video on our website at rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk showing how unstable they were).

“My brother was hurt as a child on a building site so I know what can happen,” he said.

“A child climbing on these walls or even someone walking by could be crushed.

“My own wall is fixed and it’s totally safe but they should be fixing all the walls on the estate.

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“You can just walk around and find others with the same problem.”

A spokesperson for Avant Homes said: “Mr Armstrong contacted us to report an issue with his garden wall and after visiting his home to assess the problem, it was agreed that some remedial works were required. 

“We have since been made aware of a similar issue on another property. 

“We have inspected this wall and have arranged to carry out the necessary works. 

“If residents have any concerns they can contact us directly and we will assess each situation on its merits.”

 

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