RESIDENTS in the Raffles area of Carlisle can breath a huge sigh of relief after long-awaited resurfacing works are finally coming to a conclusion.

Work on the New Acres housing development started almost four years ago and since then residents have been forced to deal with an unfinished road, with raised man hole covers and high kerbs.

Split into two stages, the second stage of the Lovell Homes site is now nearing completion.

After recent intervention by local councillors for the ward Les Tickner, Pamela Birks and Calvin Rodgerson, the Creighton Avenue, Latrigg Road and Thomlinson Avenue Roads are finally being resurfaced.

"I was out and about three/four months before the election I spoke to residents about the concerns they have," explained 21-year-old Mr Rodgerson.

"So it is great it is going ahead. The roads will be more fit for purpose.

"Once the rest of the work is done, it will look brilliant."

Local resident Julie Crosby, who lives in Ivory Close, is relieved the work is finally been done.

The 60-year-old said: "It has taken four years to get it started, they were supposed to do the road at each part.

"I am pleased it is (nearly) all done. It looks nicer, it is like they didn't care. They left the houses at one point.

"The residents are very happy it is being done. My husband has been phoning people to ask if it was being done."

Mrs Birks, 60, commented: "It has been a collective effort as councillors, we all work together for the benefit of the community.

"We want to bring the community back together because it was disjointed before the work. We want the area to go from strength to strength.

"We are listening to what the residents are asking and doing our best to deliver."

Sixty-year-old Mr Tickner added: "It is looking fabulous, it is a fabulous estate. Good quality housing, good quality estate.

"My first two houses were down here and I knocked the houses down as Highways Manager.

"The new estate is fabulous."

A Lovell Homes spokesperson said: “We appreciate and understand the frustrations of residents due to the length of time it has taken to resurface the roads around the development and can only apologise for the delay.

"We want to reassure residents we are working with all parties involved to finalise works. We have been regenerating this area of Carlisle for a decade and are proud of the community we have created.”