Rossendale housing improvement scheme continuing

Contractors ROK have already started on the latest phase of a three-year programme for Green Vale Homes, which manages the borough's former council housing stock.

In Whitworth, new windows and doors are scheduled for Burnedge Close, and new kitchens for Edgemoor Close this month. And homes in the Wallbank area will get new kitchens, along with central heating systems for certain properties, in September.

All homes in Glen Crescent, Bacup, have been pencilled in for a range of improvements, along with Huttock End properties, with new doors and windows for the Thorn estate are earmarked for September.

Later this year upgrades are planned for around 200 homes in Waterfoot and nearly 600 houses in Rawtenstall, with work already starting on minor improvements in Hall Carr.

In Haslingden a number of upgrades have commenced, with new kitchens schemed in for 80 homes in Helmshore in September.

In the previous two years there has been 471 door and window fittings, more than 900 central heating systems installed, over 1,000 kitchens, 262 bathrooms and around 280 reroofing and rewiring schemes undertaken.

Nigel Cooke, Green Vale Homes' asset management head, said: "ROK has played a significant part in assisting us not only in delivering high quality improvement work at competitive prices but also in our aim of using local labour and suppliers to boost the local economy and community.

"This arrangement provides value for money for tenants, who are at the heart of our business."

Ian Winrow, ROK's area leader, added: "We are delighted to be working on this second phase of work with Green Vale Homes.

"We have a strong track record of working in people's homes to carry out refurbishment work."

Future work will continue in 2009/10 and 2010/11, with projects including new bathrooms for homes in Britannia and central Bacup, new kitchens for Goodshaw and Stubbins and new windows and doors for homes in Top of the Town, Haslingden.