AN elderly housebound woman’s drive has been blighted by a hole for more than a month after workmen seemingly forgot to fill it in.

Valerie Hills, 79, who suffers crippling arthritis, has been worried her grandchildren wouldn’t be able to visit her at Christmas after a subcontractor for the National Grid left her drive in a state.

After a call from the Echo, workmen apologised and have now pledged to repair it as soon as possible.

Mrs Hills, of Elm View Road, Benfleet, said: “He apologised it had taken so long and said he thought I must have been forgotten.

“I don’t often get cross, but I was very cross at this.

“Thank you for all the Echo has done.”

Workmen dug the 18ins-deep hole to move Mrs Hills’s gas meter back in October, but did not fill it in.

A neighbour pursued the workmen and they filled the hole with earth last Tuesday, but failed to seal the repair, leaving barriers around it.

When Mrs Hills called the firm she was told workmen were unable to finish the repair, as it was too frosty.

Mrs Hills, who also has two great-grandchildren, was worried her daughter and grandchildren would be unable to park on her drive or in her garage.

But after a call from the Echo, a workman visited her yesterday and promised the repair would be finished soon.

A National Grid spokesman said: “Unfortunately, the property in question did not have their driveway reinstated at the time.

“As soon as this was bought to our attention, we arranged for a temporary reinstatement to be carried out to ensure access to the property was restored for vehicles as soon as possible.

“This work should now be completed.

“We are sorry the reinstatement was not carried out when it should have been and are happy to discuss any questions or concerns the resident may have.”