Water the council doing about flooding? Nothing
Residents hit out as problem continues
Disgruntled residents have slammed South Lanarkshire Council for failing to implement a £50,000 flood solution promised four months ago.
In August, the Reformer reported that the local authority claimed a solution to the frequent flooding of Gilbertfield Road could be in place within 10 weeks.
However, despite that deadline passing early last month, nothing has been done to solve the issue.
And following last week’s heavy rain, the problematic Cambuslang road was left flooded and impassable in places once again.
Derek Anderson, the man behind the campaign to get Gilbertfield Road upgraded, said: “In August, representatives from the roads department gave confident estimates that the medium-term solution of a mechanical pumping station would be in effect from October.
“I was therefore disappointed to discover that the road was again completely flooded and impassable on Monday. We are now more than halfway through December and nothing has been done to prevent the flooding.
“And with Christmas approaching it is looking unlikely anything will be done soon.
“I fully understand that when it rains roads up and down the country flood, but this is a historic issue that really needs to be resolved once and for all.”
And Mr Anderson, who earlier this year launched a petition calling for the road to be upgraded, says flooding is just one of several issues that need to be addressed.
The disgruntled resident – whose petition was signed by 337 people – insists the entire road needs redeveloped as it has become a main thoroughfare for hundreds of new homes now situated along a country road.
He said: “It’s not just the flood solution that hasn’t been actioned yet. No remedial action has been taken in relation to foliage, replacement of line markings or to the significant amount of potholes scattered across the road surface.
“We residents want the road to be developed so it is properly equipped to cope with the volume of traffic and so it is safe for all.”
Council head of roads and transportation Gordon MacKay said: “The design proposal for a mechanical pumping system has been completed and the project issued to tender.
“We hope to award the contract during January with works then commencing shortly after that.
“We will continue to keep the drains as clear as possible to minimise flooding.
“Pothole repairs have been carried out; however, the freeze/ thaw cycles inevitably means that further repairs will be required.
“There are no proposals to refresh road markings at this time although we will consider this matter again in the Spring.”