A MUM whose home has been surrounded by “nightmare” building works for eight months claims she has faced sleepless nights and damage to her property.
Vikki Morrow, 37, lives on Eagle Way, Shoebury, where works are underway to build 13 affordable homes across it and the nearby Anson Chase.
Beginning in January, Vikki claims she has faced constant disruption from the works for the Southend Council development, initially having metal fencing placed around her property blocking access to the road which only went down in September.
Blocked in - Vikki's home (Image: Vikki Morrow)Furthermore, Vikki believes the work has damaged her property, with her home’s back doors falling out of the frame.
Vikki said: “The whole area is a building site, there is metal fencing, and the side of my house has a metal fence running along my back garden.
“It is absolutely awful, and we have just had scaffolding put up next to the house, you can see the builders up there and there is no privacy, my curtains are being drawn and I don’t feel that I can relax in the home.”
Contractors have placed a large wooden board up near Vikki’s home, which she says further blocks access to her property.
The mother-of-four claims she has faced “sleepless nights” fearing how emergency services will reach her home. 
“I had to call an ambulance for my seven-year-old, I was panicking and there is no access to the road, you can’t come in and they can’t get to me,” she explained.
“The crew had to park ten minutes up the road, there is no access to my property from the road so they had to walk down a grass verge to be able to get around to us.”
Southend Council has apologised to Vikki for the distress caused and says it is in talks with the contractor, South Essex Homes, to resolve the issues raised.
Labour Councillor Anne Jones, responsible for planning and housing, said: “We’re aware of the disruption and property impact caused by recent construction work near this resident’s home, and I’m sorry for the distress this has caused.
“The council has been in ongoing discussions with the contractor and South Essex Homes to resolve these issues and prevent future incidents.”
Ms Jones added the patience of residents is appreciated and they are working to address damage and restore property access.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel