Members of a residents’ association were left “horrified” after historic Victorian-era railings were torn out by a digger.

Part of an £80,000 project, the work that ripped out the railings is yet to be completed after an eight-month delay.

The Ditton Reach Residents’ Association was “horrified” when contractors hired by Elmbridge Borough Council hauled the Victorian railings away with a chain and a JCB digger during improvement works.

The slipway is just off Ditton Reach in Thames Ditton.

The plans were initially supported by the residents’ association.

Chairman Michael Sansom said the group: "felt it would not only tidy up the general area, but make it easier and safer for people who use the slipway to launch their boats, including the sea scouts”.

Surrey Comet:

The Victorian railings that were torn out by the digger

The plans, budgeted at £87,500, had specified improvements for access to the river, a refurbishment of the railings and repairs to the retaining wall.

A spokeswoman for Elmbridge Borough Council said: “As the project progressed, it became clear that the existing railings were in a bad state of repair and that they posed a risk to health and safety.

“Investigations found that repair to the railings could not be guaranteed and new railings were commissioned."

Works began on the railings towards the end of February, but are yet to be completed after eight months, despite several other tasks in the project being completed in April.

Mr Samson said: “We are just totally fed up with the poor design, the lack of value for money, the entire summer ruined nearby building works. The slipway still remains unsafe and unsafe to launch boats from.”

The council have said that the manufacturing of the new railings was delayed due to their “specialist” nature. The council spokeswoman said residents would be updated with a revised schedule of works.