A terminal cancer patient says building works have "trapped” him in his own home and left him at risk if he needs emergency care.

Ronald Brinson, 65, lives with his wife Janet, 64, in Lower Strand, Colindale, where Genesis Housing Association has been installing a new drainage system and laying a new road surface since February 11.

Mr Brinson, who has lived in the street for 40 years, says the work should have been done in stages so the road was not blocked off in one go.

Residents can park their cars at the end of the road – but the walk leaves Mr Brinson struggling for breath.

He said: “Just to get to my car is a job and a half. But I’m more worried about if I needed help – say if an ambulance had to come for me they wouldn’t be able to come down the road. It’s been worrying me.

“They’ve put fences up all over the place making it difficult for people to even walk out of their homes. I feel like they’re trapping us in.

“They haven’t even put signs up telling people which way to walk. A nurse came to visit me and she had to get someone to show her the way.”

Mrs Brinson added: “A lot of elderly people live around here and it’s very difficult for them. The path to the nearest bus stop has been cut off as well. They’re fed up.

“We had meetings with Genesis before the work started and told them this would happen, but they still went ahead with it. In future residents should be properly consulted and listened to.”

A spokesman for Genesis Housing Association said: “We have consulted with the emergency services to make sure they can have 24-hour emergency access.”

The works were estimated to take nine weeks but due to the wintry weather, are now scheduled to finish at the end of April.