Crumbling steps and a leaning wall have been branded "dangerous" and a council has been accused of failing to make the necessary repairs.

Problems with the structure in Constitution Road, Luton, near Chatham, were first raised more than eight months ago.

Parts of the concrete have cracked, leaving gaping holes, while the large retaining wall is now at an angle – and people fear it could come crashing down.

Sharp metal can also be seen protruding from the wall with handles and bars dislodged from where they once sat firm.

Residents have lived with the steps in this condition, they say, for around two years with it slowly getting worse over time.

One tenant said: “I am getting more and more concerned, especially at one near the bottom. “They’re cracking up and we’re heading into winter and we're going to get frost and things so they’re going to deteriorate even more.

“At night going down them it’s a concern, you have to have your mobile light on otherwise you come close to taking a tumble and I have done.

“By instinct, I know to go down the left-hand side but it can’t be left like this otherwise it will become impassable.”

A landlord of a Constitution Road property said he was concerned Medway Council was leaving "a dangerous wall and steps without the repair it needs".

He added: "Do we need to wait for a child to be seriously injured or killed as a loose brick or column falls from this wall? Who would be taking responsibility for that?"

The issue was raised with Medway Council in February after a landlord asked for repairs to be made but there was confusion about who was responsible as the land was not registered to any owner.

In July, contractor STG confirmed its proposals had been assessed and agreed by the local authority.

However, more than four months on and no work has been carried out.

In an email sent to a landlord on October 10, and seen by KentOnline, STG wrote: “Unfortunately, the works have incurred further delays as the contractor has upon further investigation, issued a revised quotation which has substantially increased the cost of the works.

“We have therefore had no alternative but to seek additional permissions from Medway Council to authorise the works. This authorisation is yet to be agreed.”

A Medway Council spokesperson said: “When we became aware of concerns around the condition of one set of steps, we started to look into the matter and found that there were no registered owners.

“We arranged for a structural inspection once we became aware that the condition had significantly deteriorated.

“Due to the specialist work required and the steps not having any listed owners, delays have been caused to the works starting.

“However, due to the condition of the steps and the safety of our residents, the council will fund the necessary repair work and hope work will start as soon as possible.”