A SET of stairs in a council-run housing block have rapidly disintegrated, leaving bits of concrete falling off and raising fears that residents could be injured.

People living in Starwort Path, Blackbird Leys said they first flagged up the 'crumbling' communal stairwell in early March and, since then, the situation has worsened.

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After recent bad weather, one step has now almost entirely disappeared while others are slowly falling apart, allowing the roots of metal railings to be seen through the concrete.

The block, near Pegasus Primary School, is one of many on the estate that is managed by Oxford City Council, and is home to a number of families with young children.

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Council staff have periodically closed off the stairwell using red hazard tape since it was first reported but this has frequently fallen down and residents have continued to use the stairs, despite the risks.

Another stairwell on the other side of the block is still currently open and unaffected.

One tenant, Miranda Wiggins, said she was worried someone would have a 'serious accident' if the situation was not addressed quickly.

The 40-year-old, who lives with her 13-year-old son, said: "Most of the stairs are cracked and broken and there's practically nothing left of one of them.

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"We have a lot of children living in the building and they run up and down this set of stairs all day long.

"A piece of red tape wasn't going to stop them for long. It needs to be properly shut off and fixed because it is getting really dangerous."

Ms Wiggins said that, despite reassurances from the council, residents are getting increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress on the issue.

She added: "We have been complaining and complaining but we get the run around and nothing seems to get done.

"We're not even sure if they are safe to use or if we should just avoid them entirely.

"Some people in the block have to take buggies up and down and my son is a paper boy and is often having to carry heavy loads.

"He could easily trip and severely hurt himself.

"Then there is the risk of falling concrete down below.

"It's hard to believe nothing has been done about it for so long."

Bill Graves, Landlord Services Manager for Oxford City Council, said: “We are aware of the problems at Starwort Path and we have commissioned a structural survey to identify exactly what work will be needed.

"The survey will be carried out on the 16th of May and we will then schedule the necessary work.

"In the meantime we have closed the stairs to residents and will be providing more sturdy barriers to prevent access.

"We are aware that there will be some unavoidable inconvenience to some residents who will have to use the other set of stairs.”