Kentish Express Ashford & District
Holes left during estate work are an ‘accident waiting to happen’
A father says someone could have been killed or seriously injured after contractors left deep holes around street lamps without warning signs or effective barriers.
Power station engineer Andy Young was walking from his car to his front door on Christmas Eve when he nearly fell six feet into a hole on the newly built housing estate in Laurens Van Der Post Way in Repton Park. Contractors had dug up areas around the streetlights in order to switch them on, but left dozens with only small plastic bollards to protect people.
Father-of-two Mr Young said he took his health and safety concerns to Ashford Borough Council, Kent County Council, Highways and housing developer Persimmon, but says no one will take responsibility for the problem.
He said: “There are holes all around the estate which are easily enough to cause an injury, it’s an accident waiting to happen.
“I work in a power station so I know all about the importance of health and safety.
“There should be 4ft high barriers, warning signs and probably lighting. I nearly went down one of the holes in the dark, it was 6ft deep.
“I was covered in mud up to my knees and went absolutely mad.
“I know it’s a newly built housing estate and that you can’t make an omelette without cracking some eggs, but there are children living here who could have fallen in.”
Mr Young says that he received no response from the contractors, and that Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council have not taken any action to enforce better safety.
The road is not yet adopted by KCC Highways, and KCC council officer Kieron Leader told Mr Young via email that he could contact the Health and Safety Executive, but saw “no reason” why he should do so.
Mr Young said: “I think that the HSE would be very interested in this.
“I would lose my job if I left something like this, it’s an absolute disgrace.”
A spokesman for KCC said the street is still a new build, and therefore it remains the responsibility of the housing developer.
Persimmon was unavailable for comment.