OAP battling council over sewer ‘blast’ clean-up bill
A PENSIONER is fighting a council over the uplift of what he claims are sewagedamaged items after he says a pipe exploded in his garden.
Robert Darroch, 74, said he has been left with debris in his garden after the incident at his Eaglesham home.
Debris has been left lying for months and Mr Darroch, of Hill Drive, believes East Renfrewshire Council should collect it.
He says he would be charged £75 for the uplift and is refusing to pay.
The pensioner, who is registered disabled, said he thought a bomb had gone off outside his home when the incident happened l ast November.
He said: “My wife and I were sitting in the living room when there was this almighty bang from outside.
“Then when I went outside you should have seen the scene I opened the back door to.
“There was sewage everywhere. Two of my sheds and the neighbour’s fence were also destroyed because of the explosion.
“The mess was unreal – raw sewage was half way up the walls of the house.
“After it happened I just though to myself ‘enough was enough’ that was the last straw.”
He also claimed he has had problems with damp in his home for several years.
Mr Darroch added: “The manhole exploding was it for me, and I even contacted my lawyers.
“I want East Renfrewshire Council to sort these prob- lems that my wife Marion and I have been left to deal with over the years.”
Mr Darroch, who has diabetes and a twisted spine, lives with his 70-year-old wife Marion, who is wheelchair bound.
After the sewage explosion the grandfather of four attempted to clean up as much as he could. He said contractors also came out to repair the damaged manhole.
Now, more than six months on, shed debris as well as some destroyed decking remains in the back garden which the council is charging £75 to pick up.
He added: “I’m not paying that – the council should be doing it free of charge in my view.
“My sons and I cleaned up the area as best we could but there is obviously still a health hazard.
“I’ve spent a fortune on disinfectant and I’m not will- ing to spend any more for something that was not the fault of me or my wife.
“I’ve spent money on new sheds and a new fence for my neighbour as well and I can’t afford to keep up with all the problems. The council need to come and sort this out.”
The council, however, have said they have offered advice to Mr Darroch and also say there is no evidence of sewage i n the back garden.
An East Renfrewshire Council spokeswoman said: “We are aware of this matter and have previously visited the property to inspect the garden area.
“Our environmental health officers found no evidence of any sewage within the garden, so no health risk exists. We have also advised Mr Darroch on a number of occasions in relation to ensuring proper air circulation within his property.”