Last week I met with representatives from Southern Gas networks regarding work that has been going on (and on) on the Riverdene Estate for too long.
Residents were told that there would be workman on the estate during the summer of 2008 for essential work replacing old gas pipes. After the first contractor pulled off the site without warning, residents have been left with a patchwork of half completed work 3 years later.
It appears a number of sub contractors have let us and Southern Gas Networks with the quality of their work. We've had holes dug up in the same place, ground turned over and left and even water supply cut off after contractors went through the wrong pipe. There are rules that utility companies should leave ground as they found it or re-seed grass areas so they recover within 12 months. This hasn't happened. Where once we had grass areas, we have weeds well established through the large stones that should not be near the surface."
The Riverdene estate is private and the estate gardener, employed by the residents, and also have volunteers litter picking to keep the area looking good. Their task has been made almost impossible by the disruption.
We'll never know who is to blame for this disaster, but it certainly isn't the residents, but they're the ones who have to put up with it. To there credit, current Southern Gas networks representatives have admitted it has been a disaster and been very apologetic.
They have given me assurances that they will be moving on in the next 12 weeks, worryingly a bit further across Eastrop. They have promised to do a walk of the area with me before they sign the area as done. So if there are areas that have not yet been returned to right condition, let me know below or email me and I'll make sure nothing is missed.
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