RESIDENTS are calling on the water board to fix damage to their properties they claim sub-contractors caused during recent work.

Those living in 10 of the 12 properties on Eastwood Villas, in Prudhoe, have claimed cracks in their walls and loose roof tiles caused at their homes were a result of ongoing work by Northumbrian Water to upgrade the sewerage system.

Jennifer Kidman, who gave birth to son James just seven weeks ago, said her pregnancy was more stressful than others after her internal walls cracked and roof tiles fell off during the work.

She said the damage was caused as contractors used a technique of sheet piling, which inserts structures into the ground using vibration, and had video evidence of items in her house shaking.

“All we want is our houses to be repaired to how they were before the damage was caused,” she said.

“We have to live and look at the cracks in the walls every day and it’s so upsetting.”

Neighbour Paul Armstrong said similar damage was caused to his property and he was quoted £6,000 to get it fixed.

Hexham’s MP Guy Opperman said he had met with residents and was supporting them in their fight.

He said: “I accept that these network improvements are important, but they have created a civil nuisance in the way they have conducted operations.

“Now they have said that the damage to the nearby properties that has taken place has mysteriously happened and has no link to the heavy digging and work they carried out. I do not believe them.”

Simon Cossar, Northumbrian Water’s project manager for the Eastwood Villas, said the company did not believe the damage was caused as a result of the work, according to structural assessments carried out.

He apologised for the disruption caused and said the team, and partners Interserve, changed its technique once it learned of complaints.