Developers yet again block Ted Pratt's driveway in Dines Green, Worcester

Ted Pratt, aged 72, of Brookside Road in Dines Green, has a garage plot behind his house which he uses to park a small lorry.

He appeared in the Worcester News in October last year after developers had fenced up his driveway, blocking access to his lorry after they had began work building 38 homes in nearby Ambrose Close.

Mr Pratt said developers Jessup Brothers and the land owner Kevin O’Reilly apologised to him and that, following the article, they came to an agreement.

But to his dismay he discovered his driveway was blocked again on Friday, July 13 - but this time with orange barriers covering a large hole, presumably looking at drainage work.

After we contacted the county council and Jessup Brothers to find out who was responsible, the developers admitted their mistake and apologised for a second time.

The company's general manager said Mr Pratt's access was reinstated immediately.

Speaking to the Worcester News on Monday, Mr Pratt said: “Someone has come back out of the blue and blocked it up again.

“The whole area is a nightmare.

“They should learn their lesson but someone has instructed these people to come here and dig this manhole up.

“It wouldn’t be so bad if they did the work straight away.

“I would like to get my vehicle out in the next couple of days."

Peter Butler, Jessup Brothers’ general manager, said: “I am disappointed the man did not contact our head office.

“Our officer has been made aware of the issue and it has been resolved.

"Access was given straight away.

“We have apologised to Mr Pratt.”

Mr Butler said that Mr Pratt will be given a work start and completion date in writing, as required, when the dates are confirmed.

He added that work on the site was nearing completion, with an expected finishing date in 10 days’ time.

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said: “The alleyway does not form part of the adopted highway maintained by Worcestershire County Council as highway authority.”