A botched kitchen renewal that was supposed to take 15 working days has taken almost triple that and is still not finished.

Arthur Carr, an 85-year-old Highams Park resident, was recommended to have his kitchen renovated as part of a Waltham Forest Council scheme to support council house tenants.

Mr Carr has been a council tenant since the early 70s and his kitchen had fallen into a state of disrepair.

The council, which awarded its repairs contract to construction company Morgan Sindall earlier this year, promised the renovation would take no more than 15 working days.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Arthur was left without a working over for over a month.

Work began on October 1 but is still not fully complete.

Arthur’s granddaughter Stacey says the whole ordeal has been “nothing but grief”.

Her grandfather was left without an oven for over a month, which meant she was left with no choice but to order takeaways for him.

“It was very expensive and was not a healthy way to live.

“If he was on his own he would be in a right state and its just not fair any elderly person”, Stacey said.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Work is set to be finished next week, the council says,

Stacey says at times she has felt as if she has been managing the project and criticised the lack of communication from Morgan Sindall.

She added: “I have been chasing and chasing them and have been left to feel like I am the one managing the project. Its been an absolute nightmare."

A council spokesperson said: “We apologise that this work has taken longer than the 15 working days we allow for. The delay is partially due to the need to remove floor tiles containing suspected asbestos.

“The new kitchen has now been fully fitted and inspected and found to be of a good standard. Three small items of snagging need to be resolved, and we have been in contact with the tenant to make sure these are fixed next week.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Stacey Carr says the whole ordeal has been a "nightmare".

In April this year the council awarded its housing repairs and planned maintenance contract to Morgan Sindall for a period of 8 years, with the option to extend for a further 7 years.

At the time, Cllr Louise Ward, cabinet member for housing, said Morgan Sindall had been chosen for the “the quality of the service and the support they will provide” following a “comprehensive selection process”.

Morgan Sindall did not respond to comment.