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A councillor has raised concerns over further delays to the demolition of 23 homes on Hafodyrynys Road in Crumlin.

Originally the demolition was planned for May this year, before being pushed back to July. It has now been delayed again until autumn.

Plaid Cymru councillor Mike Davies, who represents the Crumlin ward on Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “The council need to make this a priority – they’re dragging their feet and using Covid as an excuse.”

He added: “It’s sad. People need this to be done and out of the way.”

Nitrogen dioxide levels on the street have been the highest in the UK outside of central London.

In July 2020, the Welsh Government endorsed plans submitted by the council to demolish the houses on Woodside Terrace.

The demolition is expected to improve air quality on the street. Currently, pollution gets trapped between the houses and the trees opposite, with a busy road sandwiched between them.

The compulsory purchase of these properties at 50% above the market rate was agreed by the council’s cabinet in 2019.

A spokesperson for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “Covid has inevitably impacted the scheme.

“We have had to undertake preparatory works such as ecological surveys, structural surveys and asbestos removal works. These have been taking place over recent months.

“We have followed due process which includes the appropriate procurement and tendering process to ensure we can secure a contractor to undertake the works as soon as possible. We anticipate that the scheme will commence in the autumn.”

The tender process for the demolition closed on Friday, August 13. A demolition company is expected to be chosen by the council in the coming weeks.