Council promises new bathroom at last to tenant who has been calling them for FIVE YEARS in Milton Keynes

After the Citizen story yesterday about the terrible state of James Crawford's bathroom, council officials have promised to visit this afternoon and arrange for the work to be completed "as soon as possible".

James has lived with his wife and family at thee Ramsons Avenue in Conniburrow since 2003.

More than five years ago there was a flood from the flat upstairs, causing serious water damage to the Crawford's bathroom.

James reported it to the council, expecting them to send contractors round to fix it.

But five years on, he is still living with crumbling plaster, black mould, tiles that have fallen of the wall, and a collapsing bath that is "held up with chewing gum and a promise", he says.

He is most worried about the badly cracked and crumbling ceiling, which is believed to contain asbestos.

"It is dangerous. All we want is for the council to provide the minimum of basic standards of living without the fear of falling through the floor or catching some horrid disease from asbestos and black mould," he said.

James says he has called the council every three months or so for five years, asking when the repairs will be carried out. For the past two years, he has been sending the housing repairs department regular emails too, complete with photos of the state of the bathroom.

"All they say is: 'You are getting a new bathroom in three months, we will fix it then'. But it never happens.

"They have failed on no less than seven occasions to send an inspector round to view the damage. The only time someone turned up, their words were: 'There is asbestos in there, I cannot do this."

"They said the floors and ceiling are too rotten to repair, and they needed need to replace it all."

James said the council's only action has been to send a worker round on three occasions over the years to cover the bathroom floor with plywood to make it "safe". But each time it rotted and has needed to be redone, he said.

"I have called and called and called and nothing is being done to fix this. The fact is that I am still living in a home where asbestos is falling from the ceiling.

"To add insult to injury, a couple of years ago MK Council bought the flat above us, the one that flooded, from the landlord, fixed it all up and then rented it out."

James, who has also complained to his MP Ben Everitt, added: "I am trying to seek legal action but the truth is, I am not working and cannot afford a solicitor. My wife is working part time and we have not been able to decorate, paint or anything because it is literally papering over the cracks. I can't put carpets down and I can't paint the walls because of the damage.

"I am so depressed. I barely leave my bedroom anymore and just cannot get on with a normal day. I cannot take much more of this."

A spokesman for Milton Keynes Council said today: "We have contacted the tenant and are attending the property this afternoon to discuss the work that needs to be carried out, which will be completed as soon as possible. This includes installing a new bathroom and upgrading the extractor fan."

A delighted James said: "I cannot thank the Citizen enough for your help."