A PENSIONER in a mobility scooter has taken a stand by blocking construction works and diggers over a 20ft wall outside her home.
Mary Roberts, 76, ended up in a shouting match near her bungalow, bringing a halt to buildings carrying out reinforcement works on the huge wall in Botley, Hampshire.
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The retired construction project manager took action on Tuesday because she said workers meant to reinforce a wall had done “a hatchet job” and “desecrated” peoples homes.
Her protest prompted workers from building services firm Walstone to call cops to the neighbourhood.
The repairs come as Vivid secured planning permission to reinforce the large retaining wall at the back of a row of bungalows in the village, in which Mary and her sister both live
But Mary was concerned at seeing heavy machinery being used as she fears it could force the wall to collapse.
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The use of diggers and large vehicles has been approved by Eastleigh Borough Council, which regulates planning in the area, through two planning applications.
Mary said the confrontation with workers was “tense” and said: “We were both shouting until police arrived.
“I don’t mind being arrested if it means I’m finally heard.”
The pensioner is upset that the work is being carried out with machinery which she claims is tearing residents’ back gardens.
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She said: “Everybody’s had their gardens wrecked, some gardens have been nurtured for over ten years.
“They’ve desecrated so much in this hatchet job.”
Her sister moved into a bungalow three months ago after falling in love with the large honeysuckle on its garden wall.
The bush was later torn down and its roots covered with cement.
Matt Bellamy, Vivid’s director of asset strategy and delivery, said: “We understand that having work carried out near your home can sometimes be worrying.
“Keeping our customers and their homes safe is really important to us. Every effort is made to minimise disruption while these repairs are carried out.
“We want customers to feel informed and reassured throughout these repair works, and we’ll continue to work with them as the repairs progress.”
Walstone refused to comment, pointing instead to Vivid’s response.
Police confirmed officers attended and spoke to all parties.
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A spokesperson said: “We were called at 8.13am (on Tuesday, September 1) to a report of a woman blocking a building site entrance in Cheping Gardens.
“Officers attended and spoke to all parties. The woman moved and no crime was identified.”