Holey mess!

Date published: 03 March 2009

Homes marooned by giant ditches
Frustrated residents today listed a catalogue of misery which has turned their road into “Beirut.”

Homes and bungalows on Belmont Avenue, Springhead, have been marooned by giant holes, exposing gas and water mains, and others have had entrances to garages blocked by excavations and barricades.

“It’s like something from a war zone,” said David Weigh, a quality engineer, who has lived with his wife, Janet, on the avenue for five years.

“When the work to install a new gas supply started last month, we had no idea that we would still be surrounded by these road works.”

A huge hole outside the Weigh’s home completely blocks their garage entrance and is partially filled with water. Other utility pipes are exposed and passers-by have dumped litter in the hole.

Mr Weigh (61) who has written to complain to contractors, said: “The hole has just got bigger and bigger over the last six weeks.

“Workmen dug into a flower bed in my garden looking for an old gas main. They didn’t find the pipe so they went away to think about it for a few more days.

“Then they returned to remove flags from my drive to lay a new gas pipe — and we waited another three weeks before the flags were re-laid.”

“Other houses have not had gas pipes fitted yet so I just can’t see the huge hole outside my house being filled in until the job is completed.

“This means I can’t get my car into the garage.”

His wife, Janet said: “The job seems to be at a complete standstill though gas pipe work in other roads has been completed.”

Councillor Brian Lord said: “Frustratingly, the only sign of any work has been a vehicle collecting some of the barriers round the many holes left on the road.”

A spokesman for contractors Balfour Beatty said they have had a team in the area discussing residents’ concerns.

She said “Excavations in the Belmont Avenue area have taken longer to reinstate than was originally communicated to residents. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.”

The statement concludes: “Reinstatement work has now been completed. Ongoing works for the area will continue as planned.”

But the day after their statement, Belmont Avenue residents, including the Weighs, were still surrounded by holes, barricades and road works.

Mrs Arline Hitchen, who has lived on Belmont Avenue 35 years, said: “It is such a mess.”

And neighbour John Kinder added: “We though the job would be finished weeks ago. But homes and garages are still surrounded by craters.”

The Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions customer service helpline can be reached on: 0800 121 4444.