WORKMEN have broken holes in the ceilings of two separate homes – with residents still waiting for them to repair their damage.

The workers, who are contracted by Slough Borough Council from the asbestos removal firm Astoms, caused damage to the plasterboard ceilings of two homes in Odencroft Road, behind Slough Trading Estate, leaving gaping holes. Both have been covered over with black plastic as a temporary fix, but weeks later, repairs still have not been carried out.

James Ditton, 68, who has been waiting over three weeks for repairs, said: “The contractor hired by the council made a big hole in the bathroom ceiling. They covered it over with black plastic, but there’s been no repairs done, nothing.

“They assured me it would be fixed the next Sunday, but nothing happened. Then they said it would definitely be done the Saturday after, but it wasn’t. My partner has Alzheimers, she needs constant use of the bathroom. I’m worried about what will come through the ceiling next. The acting foreman has had no contact with me at all.”

The incident was not isolated. Elizabeth Crane, 43, has suffered from an almost identical problem.

“They were doing some work, taking the asbestos out, and something came through my ceiling. They covered it up, but I’ve had rain and water pouring through the hole. They were supposed to come and fix it, but never showed up. I’ve tried contacting the foreman, but his mailbox is full, so I can’t leave a message. My neighbour Jamie has been waiting for three weeks – makes you wonder how long I will have to wait.”

A spokesman for Astoms said: “In the first property, the damage was caused as our workers finished and closed up, by scaffolding boards coming off the scaffolding, so that they pressed down on the ceiling. “In the other property, the damage happened when tools were being removed; a hoover, or other heavy tool, fell off the edge of a board. We immediately sealed it up with corrugated plastic board. Repairs on both homes have been rescheduled for Monday, October 9.”

A spokeswoman for Slough Borough Council said: “There have been a couple of incidents of damage done to the properties. We’re putting it right, and residents have been offered compensation and full apologies.”