THE nightmare is finally over for residents on a troubled York estate.

Householders in Tedder Road, Acomb, have endured months of misery as they waited to move into their dream homes.

They have suffered persistent problems with young vandals, and had their moving day put back up to ten times.

But it is good news at last, as the remaining 12 householders have now moved into new homes built nearby, so their former run-down properties can finally be demolished.

The destruction of the former Ministry of Defence houses is part of the final phase in a multi-million pound regeneration scheme, involving City of York Council, Home Housing, Barratt Homes and S Harrison Construction.

Mother-of-two Alison Parker, who was one of the last residents to be given the keys to her new home, said she was very relieved.

"It's like living in the lap of luxury compared to what we had," she said.

"My new house is warm and has proper walls instead of breeze blocks. It has been worth the wait."

Julie Thirlwell, City of York Council's investment and development manager, community services, said: "We're delighted that the final residents have moved into their new homes. Work will start at the end of April to demolish the vacated homes and this will enable the final phase of building work to start.

"The last phase of rented homes should be ready by winter 2004 and these will be allocated to customers on the York waiting list.

"The project will have taken around three years from start to finish later this year and has involved a real partnership between the council, residents, Home Housing Association and the developers, Harrisons."

John Muttock, S Harrison Construction site manager at Tedder Road, said: "We are delighted that the vision for this project has now been realised. The development has seen the total transformation of the site which is a tremendous boost for the area.

"This has been a complex development and one which has required precise co-ordination."

The Evening Press has previously reported that the residents successfully adopted a "one out - all out" approach to dealing with young thugs who were making their lives a misery on the estate.

At the first sign of trouble, all householders came out of their homes and stood together to confront the yobs. They said it had "worked wonders", with the troublemakers backing down and leaving the area.

Updated: 10:50 Thursday, April 15, 2004