'I am trapped here like a prisoner... it's so bad I've put my house up for sale'

A partially-sighted woman who says she has been a ‘prisoner’ in her own home for months while work on Stretford Mall and its surrounding road network has been ongoing has put her house up for sale. Noise and vibrations from drilling and roadworks from 7am until 5pm daily has turned former social worker Deborah White’s life in nearby Mitford Street into a ‘nightmare’, she says.

Deborah, 51, has suffered from the genetic disorder retinitis pigmentosa since she was six years old and will eventually be totally blind. She currently has 10 per cent vision.

She told the MEN: “I cannot live here. There is drilling and my house vibrates. I rely on sound, but the noise from the work they are doing at the mall is horrendous. It’s from 7am until 4pm or 5pm in the evening and I’m at the end of my tether.

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“The footway might look nice, but for a partially sighted or blind person it’s awful because it’s not straight and you end up walking where there’s gravel under foot, so I am very unsteady on might feet. My main complaint is about noise, accessibility and the lack of information. It’s impossible for me to cross Kingsway to get the shops, so I am trapped here like a prisoner.

“I recently went out to try to get on the number 23 bus to meet my friend in Chorlton, and I found that the bus stop had gone. I moved here because I needed access to local shops, public transport and a GP, but I can’t get any of that now.

"They put a letter through my door about what has been going on, but I can't read it because of my eyesight."

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “No-one wants the roadworks to be in place for a minute longer than necessary and we want to thank residents and businesses for their patience during this period of disruption. Once the roadworks are completed in a few weeks’ time, the Kingsway junction will be a much safer junction for pedestrians to use. The extra footpaths, lighting, improved bus stops and extra crossing points for pedestrians to use will make it easier to walk to and from the town centre.

“During these works the contractor has issued newsletters to neighbouring properties, including to residents on Mitford Street advising of noisy overnight works, changes to bus stops and routes into the shopping centre. These letters provided the contact details of contractor staff who can help with local enquiries from residents and businesses. We have held drop in events at the mall where project staff have been available to discuss matters with residents.

“We recognise for residents that this has been a testing time and anticipate the works will be completed to Kingsway in November. The works to Kingsway are an important part of the regeneration of Stretford town centre. Altrincham’s regeneration took time and the process was painful at times – but it is now is an award-winning town centre with a great mix of shops, food outlets and homes.

“We are going through the same process with Stretford and the end result will be a town centre that all residents and businesses can be proud of.”