PEDESTRIANS are at risk from a crumbling wall on a Greenock street with a 20ft danger drop behind it.

Parts of a retaining wall on Lynedoch Street have broken away and residents and a ward councillor fear that someone could fall and plunge down the other side.

The wall was owned by Inverclyde Council before its housing stock was transferred to River Clyde Homes (RCH) in December 2007.

But it is still not known if ownership was transferred along with the properties lying behind the wall, which runs up Lynedoch Street and down into Hope Street.

Home owner Val Shepherd, of Lynedoch Street, told the Tele she has been asking for the wall to be fixed for SIX YEARS.

Val said: "We're getting nowhere with River Clyde and the council. People are worried about going down the stairs from Lynedoch Street to the properties because one side of the wall has fallen down along with a handrail.

"There are many damaged sections of the wall. Temporary fencing was put up three years ago and we thought that, at last, something was going to be done.

"But that fencing has now fallen down and we're worried that sections of the wall could be dangerous for the public." Lib Dem ward councillor Kenny Shepherd says the wall must be repaired as soon as possible before someone is hurt.

In the wake of the Tele contacting the authorities this week, talks are now to take place between River Clyde Homes and the council about the wall.

Graham McDowall, investment delivery manager for RCH, said the housing association will carry out emergency repairs to the existing temporary fencing and erect new fencing at the lower end of Hope Street.

Mr McDowall added: "In addition, and in the interests of public safety, we will remove all the rubble from the full length of the retaining wall and rebuild the section at the lower end of Hope Street.

"We are also getting costs for both a full and partial repair to the Lynedoch Street section. This would include costs for a structural survey, the rebuilding of any unsafe sections, replacement of missing brick work, jet-washing, de-mossing and repointing.

"Meantime we intend to meet with Inverclyde Council to discuss current and future maintenance liabilities, as there are questions over whether River Clyde Homes has full ownership of the retaining wall on Lynedoch Street, or if it's a joint liability."