Evelyn says cracked main means she struggles to get out
A fuming pensioner says she is struggling to leave her home because of a cracked water main – almost eight years after it first burst.
Back in November 2011, Evelyn Campbell, now 85, appeared in the Express calling for help with the issue which started 12 months previously.
Now she has – once again – been left battling to get out of her home safely because of water gushing from the same main.
Evelyn says water from the damaged pipe covers her garden path, leaving her and husband David, 83, almost housebound.
The fed- up Linwood couple have called on Renfrewshire Council, who are responsible for looking after the mains in Pearson Place, to sort the problem out for once and for all after a longrunning saga.
Evelyn, who says the pipe has burst many times over the years, claims the latest leak is making life very difficult for them, especially during winter.
She said: “It has been like this for months. The water is pouring out over our path.
“I have been stuck inside when it rains. Trying to get to doctor’s appointments and things, it is really difficult.
“We have been housebound at times because of it.
“During the winter snow, I had to walk down holding my neighbour’s fence because it was so icy with all the water.
“I have lost count the number of times the pipe has burst since we moved in 42 years ago.”
In 2011 the Express reported how a dispute between Scottish Water and Renfrewshire Council over who should maintain the pipe meant repairs took months.
Now Evelyn, who says her neighbour raised the issue with the council, has challenged the local authority to carry out work to make sure the problem doesn’t happen again.
She said: “Last time there was a long delay because Scottish Water said the pipe was not their responsibility, it was Renfrewshire Council who were responsible.
“Eventually, it got fixed but it has burst again. They need to fix it properly so it doesn’t keep happening.”
She is also worried the quality of water is being affected by the leak in Pearson Place.
“I have noticed that some of our whites have come out looking a bit brown recently, so that is a worry too.”
A Renfrewshire Council spokesman said no problem has been reported.
He added: “We would encourage all residents to ensure they receive confirmation that an issue has been reported.
“We liaised with Scottish Water to identify the location of the burst pipe and repairs are being carried out to ensure the flooding is cleared for residents.”