Anger over demolition blunders in Peebles

Published 12 Feb 2010 10:46 0 Comments

AN under-fire demolition company has apologised to local homeowners for causing an electrical blackout.

Coleman & Co, who have almost 40 years experience in demolition work, have suffered a litany of gaffes while working on the former council yard at Dovecot Road in Peebles.

Last month a complaint was lodged with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), after neighbours became alarmed at the demolition of asbestos roofing on the site.

Local homeowners claim to have witnessed large diggers knocking an asbestos roof down, in, what they claim to be, contravention of strict guidelines which call for its removal sheet by sheet.

But Coleman & Co, who have been tasked with clearing the site by Eildon Housing Association, firmly believe they are working within these guidelines and the matter is currently under investigation by the HSE.

However, the demolition contractor drew further ire from locals a fortnight ago when in their attempt to knock down a shed they caused power to be lost to numerous homes.

The blackout lasted for over two hours on January 28.

Then only days later residents also lost their phone connections after a pole carrying lines across the site was dislodged.

One furious resident said: "There is an old trick in the construction industry where it can take BT days to come out and move the line. So, firms just knock it down and BT arrives within hours."

A BT spokesowman said: "A telegraph pole was knocked down by a third party at the demolition site, which caused damage to a second pole in the area and affected services on eight lines linked to the pole.

"We replaced both poles and restored services and will be claiming costs from the third party."

Local resident andcommunity councillor, Allan Mackenzie said: "This firm should be wearing cowboy hats instead of hard hats.

"Everyone around here is wondering what next? It's just one mistake after another."

Coleman and Co manager, James Howard said: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused to local residents.We were told prior to taking occupancy of the site that all services were disconnected and we have documentation stating this.

"However, in the process of excavating a redundant cable our workmen found this wasn't the case. Thankfully no-one was seriously injured.

"In relation to the phone lines, I've yet to receive a report from the site so cannot comment just yet."

Scottish Borders Council's roads department moved out of the yard last Autumn to allow for 59 care apartments to be built by Eildon.

Construction work is expected to start in May. Eildon Housing Association were unavailable to comment at the time of going to press.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 12 Feb 10

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