A LARGS pensioner has hit out at 'dreadful' safety issues in a sheltered housing block which she says are making residents' lives a misery.

Mary Donaldson, 73, says she reported a string of serious maintenance problems at Moorburn Park including a faulty fire door, break-ins and faulty lighting - but was told by staff manning a council hotline that the matters 'aren't a priority'.

She has also cited a number of other matters at the Brisbane Road complex but says residents have been left waiting months for work to be carried out.

Mary, who is in remission from stomach cancer, said: "The council is not doing its job. It is weeks and sometimes months you have to wait to get something fixed at this sheltered housing site.

"There are a lot of old and vulnerable people in this block. The front door buzzer system isn't working which means as I am on on the ground floor, and one of the younger ones in the block, I have to get up and open the door for people as otherwise they can't get in, unless they have a personal fob. I had to do it at least a dozen times at the weekend and I am getting really tired with it.

"It has been like that for a week and when I phoned the council but they told me it wasn't a priority.

"The fire door is also jammed so if there is an emergency and we need to get out quickly, we can't.

"There are also security concerns. There was a television set stolen from within the premises a while back and I personally don't feel safe."

Mary says that when workers do arrive to carry out repairs they have to wait for a key to be delivered from council offices in Irvine before they can get to work.

She said: "When the council vans arrive, they sit for ages for this key coming from Irvine to get into the electricals room. Some lads have just gone away as they have been left sitting outside for hours.

"The fire brigade don't have a key either. If it is early in the morning they can use the service button, but in the afternoon or evening there is no way to get in otherwise.

"The maintenance is dreadful. We have to do everything ourselves with is disgraceful when you think there are pensioners here over 90, a blind person and someone who uses a wheelchair.

"We have been told that we have to phone the council general number if we want to put forward any issues but nothing seems to happen.

"I was told that the buzzer issue was not a priority but it means that doctors can't get in or anything.

"The dark nights are now coming and we need something done now to address these issues."

Mary has flagged the matter up with complex management and again was directed to the council general helpline.

She added: "The management in the complex have been very good but they have their hands tied it seems.

"We once had four lights off in the main hall but were told that there needs to be seven lights off for it to be classed as an emergency. "The house itself is great, but it is so frustrating that the general maintenance of the properties are so poor."

A North Ayrshire Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We have spoken with the resident and have assured her we will resolve any issues as quickly as possible.

“An electrician is due out to fix the timer system which should resolve the issue with the external lights, while a contractor has been booked and will repair the issue with the electronic entry system. We hope these works will be completed within the next week or so.

“We are looking at getting a replacement door but that may take a few weeks to source and arrange but we will ensure the existing door is secure in the meantime.

“Since lockdown, housing staff have been making welfare calls to sheltered tenants to offer reassurance, advice and assistance – if anyone has concerns please raise them with our officers and they will endeavour to help.”