THE COUNCIL has been accused of risking the safety of elderly residents by failing to clean up or close a notorious South Woodford underpass.

Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith is angry that no action has been taken since he first wrote to councillors in September 2005 to complain about the diabolical' state of the walkway in Eastwood Close.

Mr Duncan Smith claims the underpass, which runs underneath the George Lane flyover, has turned it into a haven for drug dealers and muggers, making it too dangerous for many residents to use.

He said: "This pathway looks terrible and is totally inappropriate for use by elderly or vulnerable people.

"The council told me they would do something to sort out this mess when I wrote to them in 2005, but have done absolutely nothing since then, which has let down the community.

"The underpass either has to be totally renovated, with new lighting, CCTV and proper fencing, or it should be shut for good."

Speaking during a visit to Jubilee Lodge secure housing in Eastwood Road, the MP promised residents he would not let the problem be ignored.

He said: "I will write to the council on this issue again this week, and I am going to continue to pester them until this issue is resolved.

Jubilee Lodge resident, David Ralph, said many local people feel their concerns have not been taken seriously by the council.

"We've had two residents at Jubilee Lodge mugged in that underpass recently, with one 86-year old lady having her wrist broken in the process, and yet the council have done nothing."

A council spokesman said addressing the residents concerns would not be a straight forward process.

She said:"This was always going to be a difficult problem to solve. The subway is a public highway and therefore very difficult to close.

"The anti social behaviour in the area is currently being investigated by the Council's Anti Social Behaviour Team".