Sludge pond fencing work has been agreed
Parents worried that playing children are at risk
A sludge pond at the back of a Morningside housing development is to be properly fenced off.
The pond, to the rear of the Avant Homes site, has been at the centre of controversy as the large pond was not properly fenced off and could become a danger to local children.
Worried Frankie Doolan contacted the Wishaw Press and called for urgent action to be taken after discovering the pond, filled with black sludge at their development had no warning signs and was not properly fenced off despite being just yards from where local kids were out playing.
Shocked Frankie, 56, told the Wishaw Press: “There are no warning signs up or anything.
“It’s really dangerous for kids and I was really shocked with what I saw.
“I’m in the building game and I see this type of thing all the time, but it is always usually fenced off with warning signs and a couple of life-rings in case you have to pull someone out.”
However, he reckons anyone falling in would have little chance of coming out and added: “The hole is filled with black sludge and is at a 60 degree angle so if a child goes in there then there is no chance of them getting back out.
“My daughter Wendy has already been on the phone to SEPA and the environmental health department because if I worked on a site and this type of thing happened, it would be shut down straight away.”
A council spokeswoman confirmed that the local authority was in contact with the housebuilders to make them aware of the local concern and to see what may need to be done.
And this week Newmains councillor Robert McKendrick confirmed that Avant would be putting proper fencing and signage up at the site to prevent any accidents from happening.
Councillor McKendrick said: “I received an email stating that a contractor on behalf of Avant Homes will be going in there to complete fencing works.
“Hopefully, that work will be done by the end of next week which is really good news for the community.”