Families still seriously affected by the Baberton Mains gas explosion tragedy are living in limbo and being let down by inaction from then City of Edinburgh Council, says Scottish Conservative MSP Sue Webber.
Nearly six months after the blast, the Baberton Mains Avenue site is still fenced off and lies untouched, with residents’ belongings in the homes destroyed by the explosion still clearly visible. Debris can still be seen hanging from the buildings.
“Six months after this awful tragedy, it’s unacceptable that people can’t get back to some semblance of normality. There may be issues with buildings insurance, but that’s no excuse for but that’s no excuse for people being kept in the dark when it comes to their future of their own homes,” said Sue Webber.
“The houses look like they are about to collapse. Even to the untrained eye the remaining buildings are in a structurally unstable condition, with debris falling off and signs of imminent collapse.”
Of the four affected families she met this week, two are still in the street but two are living in rented accommodation because of issues with repairs. Those still living there are getting no council tax reduction.
“They are living in limbo, but even those families still living in the street have a daily reminder of this tragedy. They can even see personal belongings amongst the ruins of one home that belonged to their friend and neighbour who tragically died.
“Those who have been forced to move out are still being chased by energy companies for standing charges in the homes they can’t live in,” she said.
When Sue Webber contacted the City of Edinburgh Council in March, she was told the building control department would be issuing Dangerous Buildings Notices, but nothing has been done in the past two months.
It is understood the owners’ insurers that they will share the findings of ongoing structural investigations with Edinburgh Council’s building standards team. Then dangerous buildings notices can be issued to outline what is needed to make the buildings and surrounding area safe.
The notices can only be lifted once minimum conditions have been met, which could include demolition. Then it will be up to owners and insurers to decide how to proceed.
“It’s disgraceful that there has been no progress for at least two months, and someone needs to bang heads together to sort this out,” said Sue Webber.
“We’re not even at the stage where people might have to haggle over the cost and liability, but it’s people’s lives we’re dealing with and there should be a far greater sense of urgency to find solution.”
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-gas-explosion-six…
