TRACY-ANN CARMICHAEL
Housebuilder Barratt has come under fire over their new Brookfield development.
Councillor Audrey Doig says the outfit, who built the new Weir’s Wynd estate just outside the village, has failed residents.
She claims that they have failed to repair several dark lights at the estate, which they damaged during construction.
The SNP councillor, who represents Linwood, Houston, and Crosslee Ward, said the company have had more than a year to carry out the remedial works.
Councillor Doig said: “I am a reasonable person, and so too are the council officers at Renfrewshire Council dealing with this, but I am demanding that Barratt Housing give Renfrewshire Council an immediate timescale and budget for the repair of a length of street lights at the edge of the Weir’s Wynd development.
“These were damaged by Barratt during construction and this is a health and safety risk for both drivers and residents.
“No less than five site meetings have been held over the last year between council officers and Barratt, and the council is very keen to get these lights repaired, yet Barratt have continually dragged their feet.
“I fail to see how Barratt are struggling to find the money to pay for these repairs as they have over the last year continued to sell properties at the site for a good profit margin.”
She added: “Weir’s Wynd residents are sick and tired of Barratt failing in their duty of care as the builders of the development.
“It was Barratt who cut the cables to these street lights which caused them to fail, so it is entirely reasonable to ask Barratt to take this matter seriously –especially as Weir’s Wynd is right next to the busy Bridge of Weir Road which is a major arterial route.
“I would like to thank the council officers for all their support in this, but the last straw for me was when Barratt offered them yet a sixth site visit.
“Barratt know what the problem is, and they know that they are required to pay for the repair as it was their team that caused the damage.
“I would like to say to the chief executive of Barratt would he like to live in a development where a whole street of lights are not working?”
David Scott, managing director of Barratt Developments, West Scotland, said: “We are sorry that fixing the lighting along Bridge of Weir Road has taken longer than we anticipated.
“However, the age and poor condition of the existing lighting has meant that it was not possible to upgrade the lighting. Instead, we have been working closely with the council to install a new lighting system.
“With the final design now agreed, Barratt has appointed a contractor and we will start these works as a matter of urgency.”