This is an accident waiting to happen

Robert calls for action to fix flooding hazard

A flooded underpass is leaving pensioners stranded and kids’ buggies stuck in mud every time it rains.

Robert Smith, 66, says surface water at the tunnel leading to Bargarran shops in Erskine is cutting off the most vulnerable from getting their essentials.

Mr Smith told the Express how one elderly woman fell in the mud, while young mums also struggle to get buggies through.

The taxi driver says he pleaded for help to install extra drainage, but it took more than six months for a site visit and still nothing has been done.

He told the Paisley Daily Express: “Every single time it rains, it becomes impassable.

“It’s the only way to the shops, without having to take a huge detour across a busy main road.

“People are having to climb over embankments or wade through water and mud.

“It’s a health hazard and a pensioner has already ended up caked when she fell in it.”

Robert, of nearby Blantyre Court, says he contacted the council a year ago and had to wait more than six months before an examination was carried out.

He told how engineers visited from the landowner carried out an examination of the site, but no progress has been made on the job.

Robert added: “It’s dangerous down there.

“I’ve lived here for years and nothing has ever been done to try and improve this in the slightest.

“I thought I had made some headway when they agreed to come out, but then nothing.

“I’ve even sent emails but had no word back, it’s like I’m being ignored.

“Is it going to take a serious accident before anything is done here?”

Renfrewshire Council confirmed it has urged the owner of the stretch to investigate the issue.

A spokesman said: “We are making the company which owns the land aware of the concerns raised.”

People are having to climb over embankments or wade through water