COUNCIL bosses have been slammed for taking THREE MONTHS to provide a temporary fix to a vulnerable Irvine man's home.

The lintol of the bedroom window in the bedroom of Andrew Crawford's council-owned home on Ayr Road was badly damaged during a spell of bad weather in August.

Andrew's daughter Lisa told the Times the old wooden frame around the window was eroded and had caved in - leaving the property's only bedroom even more susceptible to cold weather.

Irvine Times: Bad weather had left the window in his home badly damaged - and dampness and cold air being allowed

Freezing air from outside was making its way into Andrew's room through the large gap between the window and the rest of the outer wall.

Irvine Times: Bad weather had left the window in his home badly damaged - and dampness and cold air being allowed

As a result, the room was "frozen and damp" - the Irvine man was left with no option but to sleep elsewhere in his house.

Ever since the incident, Lisa said, her father has been sleeping in his living room, fully clothed, in a sleeping bag on top of a camping mat.

Lisa told the Times she felt North Ayrshire Council had "fobbed off" the family.

She explained: "My dad is classed as a vulnerable adult - he has COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma.

"My dad contacted North Ayrshire Council and has made personal appearances to the housing office regarding this situation.

"They have sent inspectors out to view this mess and they have fobbed him off, saying they are to busy and there is nothing they can do, which is completely unacceptable."

Irvine Times: Bad weather had left the window in his home badly damaged - and dampness and cold air being allowed

At the beginning of this month, Lisa said, the council told her father  that they would provide a temporary fix to 'box in' the window - until a more long-term solution could be identified.

But Lisa said workers didn't turn up on the day they were supposed to - instead arriving at the property days later, while her father was at a medical appointment and couldn't let them in.

It took until last week - some three months after the window was first damaged - for a temporary timber solution to finally be put in place.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson explained: “We have been in touch with the tenant this week and hope to install temporary timber panels at the earliest opportunity which should provide robust protection against the draft.

“We are pursuing quotations from contractors for the new lintol to be installed as quickly as possible and Mr Crawford will be contacted with an attendance date.

"We do apologise for any inconvenience this may be causing.”

Irvine Times: The window after temporary repairs were put in place.

And while Lisa says is pleased to have a solution of sorts in place, she remains frustrated at the handling of her dad's situation.

She added: "The length of time it’s taken to put up simple panelling is unacceptable. It’s been three months.

"It does minimise a little of the draught and noise from the road traffic, but it’s not sustainable for the weather that's coming - and it shouldn’t take that long for contractors to attend to do the repairs.

"Not to mention the money my dad has wasted turning his heating on - and for what?

"It’s a disgrace - the lack of support, help, compassion my dad has been given."