Bridge over troubled water in new estate
Residents’ fury after building firm leave job half done
Angry residents in a new build housing estate have built their own bridge across water after a construction firm left the job half done.
Residents living in Troon’s Earl’s Green estate have slammed builders for failing to provide them with an adequate passage out to access nearby schools and shops.
Instead, they have been forced to take matters into their own hands and after using a rackety crossing made of wooden pallets have now built their own bridge to cross a burn and exit the estate.
But the residents have claimed builders Stewart Milne have left behind a host of issues, with groups of disgruntled neighbours asking for improved infrastructure around their homes.
Gordon Burns, 42, lives on Daniel Walk just along from the problem area of the estate.
He has revealed to the Post how residents clubbed together last year to raise enough to fund their own structure to cross a burn next to a children’s play park.
The dad- of- three moved into Earl’s Green just four months ago and was shocked to find areas of the estate, built six years ago, left in an incomplete state.
Gordon said: “When the estate was built folk were told there would be a bridge across a burn to give you access to an existing estate to walk to schools.
“For whatever reason the bridge has never been built. It has meant that folk have had to drive out of the estate to avoid walking or cycling next to a main road.
“Residents have been chasing it up for years and nothing has been done.
“Some parents used old wooden pallets to cross the burn and it became a sort of unofficial crossing, but that wasn’t ideal.
“Instead, we raised some money and placed a bridge made out of decking to make it safer.”
Just 100 metres away from the temporary decking bridge lies an unfinished bridge which you can see is half complete.
Residents want to see builders deliver on their promises and have highlighted other issues such as a lack of lighting around paths and a hazardous roundabout with overgrown grass blocking the view for cars and pedestrians.
Concerns have been raised around the safety risk posed to children.
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Post: “They need to give us a safe passageway for the kids to be able to walk to school or to go into the other estate. There is a real issue with congestion in the mornings because everyone drives as we don’t feel we have another option.”
A spokesperson for Stewart Milne Homes said: “Stewart Milne Homes can confirm that the lighting installed on the paths is in accordance with the necessary consents granted by South Ayrshire Council.”