COUNCIL tenants have been unable to open their windows for six months because of delays to building works.

Builders fixing roofs in The Brambles, off London Road, left scaffolding up and rubbish at the site after the council decided to replace the roofs completely.

One resident affected, Margaret Burns, said: “It has meant we can’t get any fresh air in the house and the windows are filthy.

“We can’t use the bin area because of all the rubbish which is stacked up there and I’m worried we will get rats. It feels like I’m living in a pigsty.”

Wiltshire Council said it hoped to soon complete the “major exterior works” which include replacing the roofs and repairing chimneys, guttering and window sills.

It said the delays were due to the decision to completely renew the roofs rather than repair them, and tenants had been told about the changes.

“We’re sorry to hear people have had difficulties opening windows while this has been ongoing and we can understand their frustrations.

“We’d like to reassure residents we’ve been working closely with the contractors to encourage them to complete as soon as possible.”