A COLLECTOR has lost thousands of pounds worth of transport models and cassettes after a communal shed was emptied in Crayford.
Terry Johnson, aged 64, of St. Paulinus Court also lost a television set and computer when London and Quadrant Housing Association emptied the shed on September 17.
The clearance was carried out following complaints from residents about the amount of belongings inside and the health and safety risk they posed.
Having informed Mr. Johnson in June the communal shed would be emptied, Mr. Johnson claims no further contact was made before his items were destroyed.
He said: “I was horrified when I saw everything had gone and really annoyed. I have collected the models over twenty years and they were all kept in their boxes.
“Surely common sense would prevail and they would say this is too good to be thrown out.
“One of the models of a bus cost me £50 alone.
“There were three or four bags of them.
Mr. Johnson was having his flat decorated at the time and had stored the items in the shed whilst the work was carried out.
The original letter sent in June had promised the shed cleaners would knock on the doors of all residents before anything was removed.
Mr. Johnson, who has lived in his flat for 12 years, added: “They said that they tried to contact me but I have an intercom system and I know they didn’t.
“They say it has all been crushed now but the lady’s attitude was I’m not doing anything.”
A London and Quadrant spokesperson said:
“We notified all residents in writing of our plans to clear the communal shed and residents were given three weeks to clear any personal belongings from it.
“Over the two days that contractors were clearing the shed they knocked on residents doors to check everyone had taken their belongings and helped residents with this.
“This was a communal shed, originally intended as a bike store and so there should not have been anything of great value in there.
“Feedback from most residents post clearance has been really positive and they are pleased to be able to use the space again.
“We are fully committed to working with our residents and our staff regularly visit the properties and our contact details were on the letter to residents which we know Mr Johnson received.
“Mr Johnson was free to contact us at anytime prior to the clearance and we could have assisted him in collecting his belongings if help was needed.”
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