Mary Roberts, a 76-year-old retiree, brought construction work to a standstill on September 1 by using her mobility scooter to block diggers at a site in Botley, Hampshire. The incident concluded only after police were called to the scene.
Roberts, a retired construction project manager, positioned her scooter in front of the machinery, engaging in a vocal dispute with workers over what she described as a "hatchet job" that had "desecrated" local homes. She stated she was prepared to be arrested if it meant her concerns would be heard.
The construction, involving reinforcement of a 20-foot wall behind a row of bungalows, had received planning permission from the housing association Vivid. However, Roberts expressed apprehension about the heavy machinery used, fearing it could destabilize the wall. She also claimed that her sister's home had sustained damage, including water leaks, during the construction process, allegations Vivid stated they were not responsible for.
"Everybody's had their gardens wrecked, some gardens have been nurtured for over ten years," Roberts said. "They've desecrated so much in this hatchet job."
She noted that her sister had moved into her bungalow just three months prior, attracted by a honeysuckle plant on the garden wall, which was subsequently removed and covered with cement as part of the works.
A Vivid spokesperson, Matt Bellamy, director of asset strategy and delivery, acknowledged that construction near homes can be a source of worry. "Keeping our customers and their homes safe is really important to us," Bellamy said. "Every effort is made to minimise disruption while these repairs are carried out. We want customers to feel informed and reassured throughout these repair works, and we'll continue to work with them as the repairs progress."
A police spokesperson confirmed they responded to a report of a woman obstructing a building site entrance. "Officers attended and spoke to all parties. The woman moved and no crime was identified," the spokesperson stated.
