Peeblesshire News | News | Bowled out by sewage floods

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Friday, 22nd August, 2008 12:30

Bowled out by sewage floods

By David Knox

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CRICKET in Peebles has encountered a stinky wicket.

The popular Whitestone Park club is used to being inundated with young budding batsmen.

But over the past year the pitch and training nets have been regularly flooded with much of the town’s sewage.

And umpires and officials are now calling for a stop to play.

Brian Taylor from Peebles County Cricket Club told the Peeblesshire News: “There is baby wipes, cotton buds and excrement floating around whenever there is a lot of rain – this is a public health issue.

“It first began last year when we noticed sewage a couple of times after downpours and it has already happened five or six times this year.

“Cricket in Peebles is doing really well and we could do without this. It’s not nice for all of our junior members to see.”

Peebles Cricket Club celebrated its 150th anniversary last year.

And its campaign to encourage more youngsters into the game has led to dozens of kids taking part in coaching sessions every week.

But the poo problem has left organisers stumped.

Mr Taylor added: “Whenever it rains you just know there’s going to be sewage around our pavilion and it can’t go on.

“We want to continue encouraging youngsters down to the club.”

Checks were made earlier this year on surrounding pipes and no blockages were found.

And both Scottish Borders Council, who own the land, and Scottish Water are carrying out further probes to solve the overflows.

A spokesman for Scottish Water said: “We will continue to keep the Cricket Club updated as we progress the matter.

“These instances of flooding occur during periods of extreme weather, such as the heavy rainfall which has deluged much of the region over the last week.

“We would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

Peebles was subjected to further sewage troubles this week as Edderston Road endured a couple of days of blocked drains.

Eric Cockburn, Scottish Water's Operations Team Manager for the Borders said: “Scottish Water engineers have cleared a choked sewer in the Edderston Road area of Peebles.

“Following the removal of the blockage, the sewer has again been jetted clear and checked. Sewer related debris has been removed and the affected area has since been cleaned and disinfected.”

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