Couple’s shock as car hits home

AN elderly couple are determined to stay in their Annan home after a rogue driver crashed into their front wall last week.

Catherine and William ‘Nicky’ Graham got a shock last Thursday when a car ploughed into the exterior wall of their property in Hallmeadow Place.

Describing the ordeal, Catherine said: “Nicky was sitting outside in the back garden and he heard a loud bang. I was out getting my nails done and I got phone call saying ‘there’s a car in your garden, a car has gone into your house’ and I thought it was a joke at first.

“Our neighbours heard it as well and it all happened so fast. There were police everywhere, at least ten of them, and vans everywhere. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The couple say they have since felt pressured by landlord Cunninghame Housing to move out of the house while repairs are carried out, with an offer made to temporarily house them in Gretna and Carlisle.

But Catherine said: “It’s been awful since then, terrible. They [Cunninghame] have been doing everything they can to try and get us out of here saying that it’s not safe, but other than that we’ve not actually heard from them.

“They’ve offered us accommodation in Gretna and Carlisle but we don’t want to go. This is our home, we want to stay here and we’re determined to do so.”

Inside the damaged wall has created a large bevel in Nicky’s bedroom, so the room has been locked until repairs are completed.

But the despite the damage, the couple, who are both in their 80s, are determined to stay in their home of four years.

Added Catherine: “It’s been a lot of stress and we have enough going on with carers coming and going.

“We are managing but they’re going to do more harm trying to get us out of this house.

“If they started moving us out of this house I would be ill myself, plus it’s all the stress of not knowing what’s going on, it seems like nobody is doing anything and that’s causing us more worry.

“If they could sort this house as quick as they built it, there wouldn’t be a problem.”

Commenting on the situation, a spokesperson for Cunninghame yesterday said: “The Association is working closely with the tenants affected by a recent incident in Annan, where a vehicle struck a property.

“While we are unable to comment on individual circumstances, the safety, wellbeing and comfort of our tenants remain our highest priority. We will take advice on appropriate site safety arrangements, and engage with our tenants based on those recommendations.

“Our focus is on ensuring that those affected are fully supported throughout the repair process and that their needs and concerns are carefully considered at every stage.”AN elderly couple are determined to stay in their Annan home after a rogue driver crashed into their front wall last week.

Catherine and William ‘Nicky’ Graham got a shock last Thursday when a car ploughed into the exterior wall of their property in Hallmeadow Place.

Describing the ordeal, Catherine said: “Nicky was sitting outside in the back garden and he heard a loud bang. I was out getting my nails done and I got phone call saying ‘there’s a car in your garden, a car has gone into your house’ and I thought it was a joke at first.

“Our neighbours heard it as well and it all happened so fast. There were police everywhere, at least ten of them, and vans everywhere. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The couple say they have since felt pressured by landlord Cunninghame Housing to move out of the house while repairs are carried out, with an offer made to temporarily house them in Gretna and Carlisle.

But Catherine said: “It’s been awful since then, terrible. They [Cunninghame] have been doing everything they can to try and get us out of here saying that it’s not safe, but other than that we’ve not actually heard from them.

“They’ve offered us accommodation in Gretna and Carlisle but we don’t want to go. This is our home, we want to stay here and we’re determined to do so.”

Inside the damaged wall has created a large bevel in Nicky’s bedroom, so the room has been locked until repairs are completed.

But the despite the damage, the couple, who are both in their 80s, are determined to stay in their home of four years.

Added Catherine: “It’s been a lot of stress and we have enough going on with carers coming and going.

“We are managing but they’re going to do more harm trying to get us out of this house.

“If they started moving us out of this house I would be ill myself, plus it’s all the stress of not knowing what’s going on, it seems like nobody is doing anything and that’s causing us more worry.

“If they could sort this house as quick as they built it, there wouldn’t be a problem.”

Commenting on the situation, a spokesperson for Cunninghame yesterday said: “The Association is working closely with the tenants affected by a recent incident in Annan, where a vehicle struck a property.

“While we are unable to comment on individual circumstances, the safety, wellbeing and comfort of our tenants remain our highest priority. We will take advice on appropriate site safety arrangements, and engage with our tenants based on those recommendations.

“Our focus is on ensuring that those affected are fully supported throughout the repair process and that their needs and concerns are carefully considered at every stage.”