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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Sarah Vesty

Mum terrified son, 4, will fall 20ft to his death as council replaces window with DOOR

A mum is terrified her four-year-old son will fall 20ft from their top floor flat after her broken window was replaced with a door - without a safety rail.

Kim Duncan, 40, had complained to Wellhouse Housing Association about the broken window and was told a replacement would be installed in her Glasgow home on March 29.

However, the mum-of-two claims she came home to find the window had been replaced with a door instead, leaving her fearful that her "hyperactive" son Lewis will fall out.

A metal safety railing meant to accompany the new fitting was allegedly stolen during the repair work.

Ms Duncan told the Daily Record : "The window has been broken since November last year and I’ve been constantly fighting to get it repaired ever since.

There was no safety rail with the window (dailyrecord.co.uk)
The family live on the top floor of the block (dailyrecord.co.uk)

“All the others in the scheme were sorted apart from ours. The window was leaking and I’ve got videos of the curtains blowing about in the wind while it was boarded up. It’s been absolutely freezing.

“They came out to measure it in November and then again in February when I was told we’d have the replacement in two weeks - if the housing approved it. They eventually came out to fit the window on March 29.

“The contractor then came and said to me 'we can’t fit that window without the safety bar' and he was going to phone the maintenance team.

“They were told to go ahead with the job. He said he wasn’t happy with it because of the health and safety issue. I heard the whole conversation.

“At that point, I had to rush off and take my son to the hospital. When I came back, I’d been fitted with a door instead of a window.

“I’ve had people that have driven or walked passed messaging me telling me to get it boarded up in case Lewis gets near it.

“We’re 20ft up in the air with a door for a window. I feel like I’m just being ignored. I’m at my wits end.

“I’m now beginning to think about putting myself out the window. Is that the only way someone is going to take notice of me?

“I have phoned and emailed the housing but I was getting nowhere. They said the safety bar had been stolen before it could be installed.

“But if that’s the case, they should have left it boarded up. This whole situation has just been an absolute nightmare. I just want a safe and warm environment for my kids to live in.”

After being contacted by the Daily Record on Friday, Wellhouse Housing Association confirmed a replacement railing was being made and would be installed on Wednesday April 6.

A spokesperson said: "The custom-made window barrier which was installed today was delayed by a week as it had been unfortunately stolen from property during repair work.

"As all the barriers are custom built to fit each window, it had to enter a bespoke manufacturing process. All interim solutions to the window and barrier replacements were health & safety and fire compliant.

"At no point was the safety of the property occupants compromised. The final installation which is due to take place on April 6 and will complete the final stage.

“Supply issues across the construction sector has caused delays across the country in repair and maintenance work which our residents have been made aware of.”

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