A BACKLOG in housing repairs has spelled misery for residents in flood wrecked homes.

Frustrated council tenants in Basildon have reported delays of up to three weeks when trying to get water damage urgently repaired following flash flooding earlier this month.

Their frustration was compounded when Basildon Council’s website confirmed the authority’s repairs and maintenance contractor is operating a “limited service” as it prepares to hand over to a new firm by Wednesday, July 6.

Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council said the contractor change will not stop the authority from completing work on time, and believes any delay is down to a backlog.

He added that he shares the frustrations of tenants, and insisted the council has financial reserves it can call on to help those affected if necessary.

He said: “There should be no delay in dealing with people who have been affected by flooding, and if there is, it can only be to the time taken to get all the work fitted in.

“Unless there is some technicality, I can’t see why there are delays of weeks going on. I would urge people to trust us and to understand we have reserved which can pay for more work to be carried out.”

Gavin Callaghan, leader of the borough’s Labour Group and councillor for Pitsea North West, has urged the council to improve its response to flooding.

He said: “Flash flooding is clearly something we need to be better prepared for, and I think we as a council need to improve.

“Our response needs to be better and more effective and quicker if these are the sorts of delays we are having, and I know it’s unusual to have this kind of weather in June, but we have to be prepared.”

A spokesman for Basildon Council said the authority is doing all it can to deal with the delay and that it has taken “necessary action” to investigate all properties.

She said: “Unfortunately, many areas have been affected by flash flooding in recent weeks and we are aware that some Basildon residents have experienced incidents of property flooding.

“In these cases our officers were deployed to investigate and take the necessary action. We are fitting as many repairs in as possible.

“As is often the case in instances of property damage from flooding, any damage to carpets and curtains can be subject to a claim on contents insurance held by the owners.”