Sponsored by
Mum angry at damage
AN ANGRY Gainsborough homeowner claims a water company's repair works have caused cracks all over her walls.
Single mum-of-two Sue Lawless, 45, says she first noticed cracks in her living room walls four days after Severn Trent Water started digging up Hotspur Road on 28th October last year.
The work is part of a 1.4 million project to replace sewerage pipes and install new ones in Hotspur Road, North Marsh Road, Ropery Road, North Warren Road and Melrose Road. The six month project should be finished by the end of this week.
But Severn Trent and North Midland Construction are not yet willing to accept responsibility.
Ms Lawless said: “What gives companies like Severn Trent and North Midland Construction the right to damage our property, and then just leave town without so much as an apology?” she said.
“They obviously have insurance in place to cover situations like these, so why won’t they foot the bill?”
“They would be quick enough to take me to court if I stopped paying my bills, yet they seem to believe that they can trash my home and walk away without paying a penny.”
Neighbour Christine Gomersall says she also had cracks appear in her living room and attic.
“I am very disappointed that whilst both Severn Trent and North Midland are happy to publicise the work they are doing in Gainsborough, neither are prepared to make good the damage they have done,” she said.
A Severn Trent Water spokesman said: ”Severn Trent Water is aware of the concerns originally raised by Ms Lawless last year.”
“At the time, we requested that she pursue the matter through her own insurance company, as is our standard practice.”
“However, until last week, our loss adjusters had heard nothing further from her insurers since December 2008.”
“It is far from clear what may have caused the damage recorded by Ms Lawless – there is evidence of cracking prior to the start of our sewer replacement work in the area, and we understand there is also evidence of underlying structural issues affecting the region.”
“It is worth noting that Gainsborough and its surrounds were subject to an earthquake early last year, which may also have had an impact.”
“We will of course apply proper consideration to any official claim submitted to us by Ms Lawless’ insurance company.”
A spokesman for North Midlands Construction said: “We have not heard from Ms Lawless. She has to write in for a claim and enclose two estimates for the repairs so that we will know whether it will be dealt with internally or with our insurers.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Gainsborough
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
