THE chief executive of River Clyde Homes has promised to intervene and end the Neil Street flats demolition saga that has now dragged on for SEVEN years.

Greenock Telegraph:

Richard Turnock has admitted that long-delayed attempts to raze the eyesore flats could have been handled better and says he will now talk directly to the Scottish Government as part of an action plan to get the buildings bulldozed at last.

His comments come in response to a letter from Inverclyde Council raising a wide range of concerns about the housing association's performance, following a revolt led by Councillor Tommy McVey.

He won cross party support for a motion in June condemning the state of the social landlord's properties and the backlog of long term repairs.

The Neil Street flats have been lying empty since 2016 after falling into disrepair.

A demolition order has been put in place but they remain standing, much to the frustration of people living nearby, and Cllr McVey.

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The final straw came in February this year when the Scottish Government suspended action because RCH had failed to make it safe so that work could be carried out.

As residents continue to raise the alarm about anti-social behaviour in the derelict buildings, Cllr McVey hopes the end is finally in sight for the blocks.

In his response to the council, RCH chief Mr Turnock said: "I reiterate that we accept we that we could have dealt with this complex matter more effectively.

"I give my commitment to expediting a solution at the earliest opportunity.

"This will include my immediate personal engagement with the Scottish Government."

Councillor McVey and the local community council have repeatedly raised the issue with River Clyde Homes bosses.

Following the latest developments, Mr McVey said: "On the positive side RCH have accepted that they could have handled the disposal of the Neil Street flats better.

"There is no doubt about that.

"The fact that their chief executive is now going to personally engage with the Scottish Government on the matter is also a positive.

"We will have to see how things develop over the coming weeks and months but this is something I will be monitoring very closely and I would hope to receive an update from RCH shortly."

As part of his response Mr Turnock has also pledged to clear a backlog list of 1,500 outstanding repair jobs by the end of the summer.