RESIDENTS of an estate are furious that after an appeal on the front page of the Guardian for urgent maintenance work almost a year ago, Redbridge Homes are still to take action.

In July last year, people living on the Fitzgerald Road Estate in Wanstead said the dilapidated state of paths and car parks were putting their safety at risk and had contributed to a number of tumbles taken by elderly residents.

They also complained of blocked guttering, broken windows and overgrown gardens.

Housing officers and councillors called a press conference and promised to look into the complaints, but one year on the list of health and safety issues continues to grow and original concerns remain unaddressed.

Stacey Bryant, 28, said: "I moved here in 2000 and whenever there is heavy rain my window and my door leaks.

"They have tried to fix them a few times but nothing seems to work.

"My window ledge on the outside is so badly rotten part of it is just balancing there and I can actually remove it."

Maddie Howard, 44, added: "An elderly lady had a really nasty fall on the estate last year and she's now had a cataract operation so she has two problems with navigating the car park.

"The surface is dangerous for anyone with mobility issues, small children and pushchairs."

Joyce Anthonette, 75, said: "The councillors who came last year said it wasn't that bad, but they should try living here.

"It's a year later and most of the things still haven't been done."

The residents are also demanding action about bins with no lids - which they say are attracting pests - overgrown gardens and ill-placed signs, and said there is a need for speed bumps, a bike shed and better lighting.

Leslie Powles, 57, however, believes there are better ways to be heard.

She said: "This can be done through a Residents' Association which provides a proper democratic procedure for tenants to discuss and debate and put ideas into practice.

She added: "It would enable tenants to participate fully and exercise their rights, instead of a handful of tenants making decisions at the expense of the majority."

A spokesman for Redbridge Homes said: "We appreciate that there have been some delays in the progression of the works for the residents of Fitzgerald Road for which we apologise.

"We can assure the residents that the works to the windows, car park and paths are being progressed and we are hoping to start the works as soon as possible.

"We will be in contact with all residents with a detailed explanation of the works that are to be carried out and to inform them of when the works will begin."