A Barmouth woman’s two-year fight to get improvements to a ‘dangerous’ door at her elderly mother’s housing association home have been successful – thanks to the Cambrian News.

Jennifer Berridge, 68, told the Cambrian News she was concerned for the welfare of elderly residents who she says are unable to use an incredibly heavy and ‘dangerous’ front door to their block of housing association flats at Park Road.

The Cambrian News contacted ADRA Housing Association on Jennifer’s behalf and now, just days later, a spokesperson says work to improve the entrance to the flats will start immediately.

Jennifer’s mother, Margaret Huffey, is 89 and uses a walking frame to get around. The front door is, her daughter claims, too awkward for Margaret to use.

She says you must press a button for the door to unlock, then only have a certain amount of time to open the ‘heavy’ door and enter the building, before it locks again.

Jennifer has suggested an automatic door should be reinstalled in order to aid her mother and the other elderly residents in the flats.

Jennifer says she has been in contact with ADRA Housing Association over the issue for approximately two-and-a-half years.

She believes ADRA had been investigating the issue and had even sent a man to check the door, who she claims agreed it was unsuitable.

She also says she has attempted to get in contact with the health and safety department at ADRA but has been told there is no number to contact them on.

Jennifer has stated the door hinders her mother’s ability to perform everyday tasks, such as shopping. But she also expressed concerns over the ability of her mother, and others, to leave the building in case of a fire.

A spokesperson for ADRA said: “The doors on all our communal blocks are a standard specification that comply with security and fire regulations.

“We are looking at the possibility of installing an automatic door following this request and will be consulting with all customers who live in the block over the coming weeks.”

But on Tuesday evening, a spokesperson from ADRA contacted Jennifer to say work would start on Wednesday.

“I write to you on behalf of ADRA Housing Association to inform you of work that is scheduled to be carried out starting immediately on 23 October,” a letter said.