WEST of Scotland Water are at it again. In spite of the assurances given, following the contamination debacle, the company's arrogant approach to its so-called customers has reared its ugly head again, this time in the West End of Glasgow.
Residents there were given only a few hours' notice that the company, following an extensive survey, had decided to embark on a major rehabilitation project. involving relining the sewage system. The work would take 18 hours to three days to complete.
Notice was not given by West of Scotland Water, but by the appointed contractor, not a local contractor, or direct works, but one from Lancashire.
The contractor started work at 10.30 at night. This involved setting up three generators within a short distance, all sited in the most densely populated area and adjacent to a nursing home. When confronted by local residents, the contractor stated that he was going ahead and that was it! He promised that the generators would be switched off in an hour or so.
At 2am and with the generators still going, local residents began calling the emergency line at West of Scotland Water. Guess what? They knew nothing about it, and advised me that it was probably a repair, and in any event modern generators are well-insulated!
Calls to the police led to them being advised that it was an emergency repair. Clearly the police were misinformed.
Further calls in the morning led to similar responses from West of Scotland Water, that they knew work was ongoing in Glasgow but were not aware that the West of Glasgow project had begun.
I believe that West of Scotland Water would not dare try this stunt in other areas of Glasgow, such as council estates where residents are well organised in residents' associations and have the protection of council departments.
The need to carry out improvement works is not at issue. Effective consultation would have required the water company to justify why they were relining and not replacing pipes that have been known for years to be in a poor state.
Also, they would have had required to ensure that the noise was kept to a minimum and state exactly where generators would be placed and for how long they would operate.
The West End deserves a better deal. With combined council and water taxes varying from #1500-#2400 per annum, per dwelling, and with residents facing crumbling access roads, substandard street lighting and pavements, and now stinking sewage systems, I hope readers will appreciate our frustration.
David Hepburn,
26 Westbourne Gardens,
Glasgow. May 14.
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