HOUSE builders have been accused of 'simply shocking' after-care service after residents and councillors claimed a quarter of an estate's roads had been left unfinished.

People started moving into Whinfield Park estate in Darlington five years ago. They say potholes and exposed manhole covers still litter the road and the area 'has the air of a building site.'

Nick Wallis, Haughton West ward councillor and Darlington Borough Council cabinet member for highways, said he had been pressing, with residents, for Bryant Homes to finish the work for the past year with no signs of movement.

He said: "Some of the roads and pavements on the estate are in a terrible condition.

"I've lost all faith in Bryants to put this right. On this evidence, their after-care service is simply shocking.

"These people have been living there five years and the roads are all potholed. I've been on to Bryants with the council for the past year. It's getting beyond a joke now."

Resident Carol Bland said: "Now that Bryants have left the site, they appear to have no urgency or intention to complete the roads on their estate."

Another woman, who lives on the estate with her husband and young daughter, said the problems caused were numerous.

"It makes life difficult, especially when you've got kids, because they can't go out and play," she said.

"Your cars get a lot of damage when month in, month out, you are going over these covers.

"It's very dirty, too. Your carpets are ruined before you start, because you are walking in with muck on your feet."

Coun Wallis said the council did not take responsibility for the roads until they were completed and the onus still lies on the builders.

A spokeswoman for the firm said planning guidelines dictate that the roads could not be completed until the last house was sold.

"We have got people on site, doing the finishing work to the development," she said.

"We can't start that sort of work until the last house is sold and that was in February.

"We have been waiting for contractors to be able to start the work."

She said it was hoped the work would be completed by August