Angry residents count cost

Aug 21 2008 by Graham Fraser, Hamilton Advertiser

FOUR Udston families this week slammed the council after their houses were damaged by floodwater.

Like many corners of Lanarkshire, Leys Park was hit by torrential rain on Tuesday evening.

As a result, the bungalows of the Robertsons, the Collingtons, the Rooneys and Lesley Hamilton were flooded.

But they claim the damage was entirely preventable.

Anne Robertson (54), of 65 Leys Park, commented: “Our homes flooded because the council have not fixed a culvert nearby.

“Eight weeks ago, our home, which is the closest of the four to the culvert, was damaged by water.

“At the time, the council said it was a freak of nature.

“But after the rain on Tuesday, the water breached the culvert again and came into all of our houses.

“It is shocking because this was entirely preventable.”

The Rooneys at number 61 have further concerns.

Nine-year-old Emma Rooney suffers from spina bifida and uses a wheelchair.

Gerard Rooney (40) said: “We recently converted the bathroom with specialist equipment for Emma but that has all been ruined.

“Even though we have all been in touch with the council since teatime on Tuesday, nobody has been out to see us.

“At 8am this morning (Wednesday), we phoned the council again to get sandbags but they never arrived.

“I think they must be collecting the sand from Ayr Beach.”

Gerard, his wife Julie (39) and Emma have all been forced out of their home.

Gerard told the Advertiser they could be out of the bungalow for three months.

David and Margaret Collinson, both 72, and Ms Hamilton (42) also claim the damaged culvert resulted in their homes being flooded.

Due to the council workers strike yesterday, the council couldn’t provide a specific response to the culvert problem in Leys Park.

However, a spokesman said the authority’s emergency teams had been very busy.

She added there had been several problems with drainage and council workers spent Tuesday checking and clearing culverts.