Sewage floods OAP's home
FOR one pensioner, living in a Linlithgow council flat has been a nightmare since she moved in.
But this week, June Halliwell received assurances that she would be rehoused after four years at the mercy of of the local drainage system.
Last week 70-year-old June experienced – for the fourth time in four years – the horror of human waste entering her home at 81 The Vennel through her toilet bowl and shower plug hole.
The waste spilled over into her bathroom, her hallway and her living room, and conditions were so appalling that she was forced to move to her nephew's home in Broxburn.
Sickened by the recurring problem, June – who suffers from osteoarthritis and angina – and her disabled niece Barbara Stark turned to the Journal and Gazette.
Barbara said: "It is disgusting, and the smell is vile. Nobody can be expected to live in this."
Last Thursday, West Lothian Council dispatched workmen who took up June's bathroom, hall and living- room carpets.
But on returning to the flat last Saturday June was faced with sewage again as soon as she opened the door.
She said: "I couldn't believe it was happening again – I could have cried."
On Monday, an environmental health officer visited.
Barbara Stark said: "He was disgusted. When the plumbers saw it they were green."
Various theories have been put forward regarding the problem.
Mrs Stark said: "Somebody suggested cat litter has been put down the toilet – but it is not cat litter that is coming up ''
It is also unclear whether the problem is coming from the main drain sewer or if there are blockages in other water pipes in the Vennel area. Now the Vennel car park may have to be dug up to find the source of the problem, as a pipe may have collapsed.
The family finally received word from the council this week that Mrs Halliwell would not have to go back to her Vennel flat.
She was assured that the housing department would be looking to rehouse her as soon as possible.
The council has arranged for her furniture to be put into storage and for June's pet cat to be put in a cattery.
Mrs Stark added: "It's now a priority for them to find her a new house.
''June is not going back and she's pleased with the way things are going.
''But we do want to make sure no one else has to suffer in the way that my aunt has. I will be happy as long as the council keep their promises."
Mrs Halliwell was looking at other options this week, including Bield Housing in the west end of the town.
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: "We have launched a comprehensive investigation to identify the cause of this distressing problem and to find a permanent resolution."
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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