Swan had no grit to clear snow on our estate

Dear Editor, I WANT know as a resident of Stepney’s Exmouth Estate in East London why our housing management failed to take preliminary measures in anticipation of the severe weather. The whole country has been on severe weather alert since Wednesday (Jan 28), bracing for snow blizzards from Sunday onwards. Swan Housing, despite the advance warning, failed to grit walkways, pathways, exposed balconies and stairs

Dear Editor,

I WANT know as a resident of Stepney’s Exmouth Estate in East London why our housing management failed to take preliminary measures in anticipation of the severe weather.

The whole country has been on severe weather alert since last Wednesday (Jan 28), bracing for snow blizzards from Sunday onwards.

Swan Housing, despite the advance warning, failed to grit walkways, pathways, exposed balconies and stairs on the Exmouth Estate.

It seems the two members of the caretaking staff who managed to make it into work on Monday, which is highly commendable, had their work cut-out. They didn’t have any road salt or grit, as Swan Housing failed to stockpile any for such emergencies, and are waiting for a delivery.

Many elderly tenants were trapped in their homes because snow hadn’t been cleared. A few neighbours and I tried our best to keep paths open by clearing the snow ourselves.

I am dumbfounded by the lack of forward planning. This just adds to a catalogue of failures such as lack of maintenance and disrepair on the estate.

S Jobber

Exmouth Estate, Stepney

+++

Editor: How has your housing association performed in the winter freeze? Drop a line to the Advertiser Newsdesk.