ELDERLY and disabled people claim they are prisoners in their homes because of delayed repair work on a busy Stourport road.

Many of the pensioners who live in the Mitton area are too scared or unable to cross at the corner of Vale Road where the gas repair works have gone on for more than a year.

Colin Shepherd, chairman of the Stourport Central Tenant's Consultative Committee, said "a disaster was waiting to happen" by a vehicle striking a pedestrian.

He said a temporary access route allowing people to cross the traffic island affected by the works was unsuitable because it did not cater for wheelchairs and metal boards laid down for walking on were too slippy.

He added the lowered kerb part of the island designed for people using wheelchairs had been blocked by boarding and digging equipment, making it impossible to raise a wheelchair over normal kerb height in time to avoid cars coming from the Gilgal on the one-way system.

The problems stem from the new gas mains supply, which is being laid down by construction firm Murphy on behalf of gas company Transco.

It has been taking place on various stretches of Vale Road for more than a year, and Mr Shepherd, speaking on behalf of residents in Mitton Street, Mitton Gardens, Mitton Walk and William Bullock Place, said elderly folk were praying the work would end soon.

He added: "Vale Road is already a lethal one to cross at any point because of the three fast lanes it has, but for the pensioners the corner with Mitton Street is the only part we can cross safely because of the island which splits the road.

"Yet if we can't get wheelchairs on to the island and people are slipping over it will only be a matter of time before we have a serious accident."

It is believed the timescale of work is being affected because repairs are only being carried out outside of peak rush times between 9am and 3pm.

Transco was unavailable for comment as the Shuttle/Times and News went to press.