Torhead Farm residents anger over lack of action at danger ditch

Oct 29 2009 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

FED-UP residents of a Hamilton housing estate have called on a private construction company to permanently secure the area around a drainage ditch – for the second time in six months.

In April residents of Torhead Farm blasted the Sustainable Drainage System (SUDS basin) as an “eyesore and a danger.”

Drainage systems such as these are used to reduce and control run-off water during periods of heavy rain.

However despite reassurances from the Miller Group, who are responsible for the SUDS basin, that the area would be secured and landscaped residents say the works around the area are still not complete.

The drain near Virginia Grove lies at the bottom of a gully and is filled with what residents describe as “oily rain water”.

It is located close to the play park between homes built by Stewart Milne Homes and properties constructed by Miller Group.

Residents fear youngsters playing nearby could fall into the boggy and swampy area and get stuck.

Karen Nisbet, of Virgina Grove, explained: “We contacted Miller months ago about this problem and only after intervention from the Advertiser was something actually done about the problem.

“They erected some temporary fencing around the basin and said they were going to be looking at landscaping it when the summer months came in with the better weather.

“Here we are now almost into winter at the end of October and nothing further has been done.

“The SUDS basin should have been finished just like the rest of the drains on the estate, but it has been left to become a danger.

“Children often play football at the park and the balls can land at the drain.”

Residents say the estate has been complete for some months and believe the area should have been finished before now.

Brendan McShane, technical director for Miller Homes Limited (Scotland), said: “We appreciate the concerns of the residents, but the remedial work to the attenuation pond, which is part of the sustainable drainage system for the development, has been delayed due to the very wet summer.

“Our contractor will undertake the works at the earliest opportunity, weather permitting. Temporary fencing is in place and will remain until permanent fencing is erected.”