Redbridge’s cabinet member for housing apologised for failing to look into the lack of CCTV on a Woodford Green housing estate at the area two committee meeting.

Jim Brennan, 65, a resident of the Orchard Estate, confronted councillors at Sir James Hawkey Hall, Broomhill Road, Woodford Green, on Tuesday over the ongoing security issue.

Residents in the estate, off Broadmead Road, have been without working CCTV cameras for the last seven years, according to Mr Brennan, 65, the former chairman of the estate’s residents’ association.

He said to councillors: “The cameras have never worked at all in all the time they’ve been there.

“There’s a story in the paper about CCTV saying Redbridge is covered.

“How can it be covered if there’s none on Orchard Estate, the biggest estate in the borough?”

The problem has been raised at seven area two committee meetings since 2009.

Cllr Robin Turbefield, the Conservative councillor for Bridge ward, said to Mr Brennan: “I’d like to say sorry really as I haven’t followed it up.

“I was expecting something to be presented to the committee and I took my eye off the ball and haven’t seen it.”

Residents at Tuesday’s meeting were due to hear from Redbridge Homes’ chief housing officer Lisa Marston on the subject, but she did not attend.

Redbridge Homes estimates it would cost �150,000 to replace the existing CCTV network and says there is an additional need for lift and lobby surveillance to bring the system up to modern standards.

A council report says a consultation will be held with the residents’ association shortly.

Mr Brennan estimates 12 cameras – two on six buildings - would provide adequate coverage.

He said: “Some elderly people are frightened to go out after dark.

“It would provide more security for them.”

He also said there have been problems with young people lighting rubbish fires on the estate.