A TERRIFIED Greenock man has told how he fears a car is going to smash through his bedroom window at night - after a crash barrier was erected beside a 'danger wall' he says has been crumbling for TWO YEARS.

Thomas McQuilkin is demanding that housing provider River Clyde Homes 'get their finger out' and finally repair the dilapidated structure on Finnieston Street, which has large chunks of dislodged concrete.

A metal fence was previously erected in lieu of the much delayed works but now a crash barrier has suddenly appeared which has resulted in heightened anxiety for Mr McQuilkin and his neighbours.

He told the Tele: "I go to my bed worrying about it. 

"It's horrendous. 

"People need to get their finger out and get the work done properly."

On April 9, Thomas and his neighbours were shocked to see a crash barrier and hoardings erected in front of the wall, out into the already very narrow road. 

Greenock Telegraph:

Mr McQuilkin said he and other resident were 'shocked' to see that the crash barrier and hoardings had been put in place - significantly narrowing the roadway.

He told how the wall was damaged 18 months ago after a car collided with it amid a turning manoeuvre. 

Residents say that, as there's no designated turning circle at the end of the closed street, drivers often choose to reverse up the street to get out. 

Mr McQuilkin is concerned that someone driving at speed could plunge down into the houses which are set down from the pavement. 

He added: "There was no consultation with us about the barriers, they just appeared. 

"It's made things so much worse as they're too far out onto the road. 

"What happens if an emergency vehicle has to get down here? 

"There's no way it's going to fit. 

"It's going to be fun and games when the bin lorry tries to get in."

One of Mr McQuilkin's neighbours Willie Roberts, 59, said he has to try to park his car as close to his door as possible as he and his son are registered as disabled. 

Greenock Telegraph:
He said his car has already been hit a few times and knows it's even more likely to be damaged now. 

Mr Roberts has suggested turning a patch of waste ground in the middle of the street into parking spaces. 

He added: "I can't park my car here any more, the wing mirrors will come off. 

"It's already been hit a couple of times and people just drive away.  

"They could make the overgrown area of grass in the middle into about 10 spaces. 

"Even if they turned the end of the road into a turning circle, people would still park in it."

The fed-up residents now say they just want to road to be fixed as soon as possible. 

Mr McQuilkin said: "It's an absolute shambles 

"Surely there's another way they could have done it? 

"The longer they leave it, the more it's going to deteriorate."

Greenock Telegraph:
The Tele revealed in January that River Clyde Homes and Inverclyde Council were at loggerheads over who owned the structure.

The housing provider has confirmed it is working with the local authority to resolve the problem. 

A River Clyde Homes spokesperson said: "We are in discussion with Inverclyde Council roads and transport department regarding Finnieston Street. 

"It was agreed by both parties that to ensure public safety a more robust temporary barrier would be installed by a contractor until the commencement of works. 

"We apologise to residents affected by the situation which we hope will be resolved soon."