Trapped in my home for days by this flood of sewage

A DISABLED man has been trapped in his flat and forced to take time off from work for more than a week because a lift has been flooded by sewage.

Chris Povey, 61, has been consigned to his Slateford home since the drainage problem hit his block.

It means he has missed several days at work and, but for his daughter bringing him food, would be left helpless.

Other residents of the Barratt Homes Slateford Gait development are furious at the sewage issue, which has beset the building for months.

It has also caused the building's car park to flood, meaning residents have to trudge through several centimetres of sewage waste to get to their vehicles. And, although Barratt said it was working on the problem, Mr Povey said he had received next to no feedback, despite daily phone calls of complaint. Mr Povey, who works for ISD Scotland at the Gyle, lost the use of his legs in 1966 following an accident in a school gym hall.

He moved into the flats 18 months ago and the disabled access provided by the lift was a key part in his decision to take the flat

"It's very frustrating not being able to go out," he said.

"I've missed a lot of work now and while I can do some of it from home, I really need to be there. Luckily, I was well stocked up for food and my daughter has brought me round some other things.

"There always seems to be problems relating to water here. I have heard nothing back from Barratt whatsoever."

It is understood part of the hold-up has been due to a debate between Barratt and the building's factors, Glasgow-based Life Property M anagement, over who was responsible.

Sources said it was LPM's duty to maintain the building once it had been handed over, but LPM said that Barratt had "taken responsibility for the problem" and that all costs for repair work would be sent back to them. It is understood that, after investigation, a builders' "bung" - a device used to check drainage levels - had been left in the system from when the flats were built.

Mr Povey, who commutes in a specially-adjusted mobility car, added he was desperate to return to work. "I have missed meetings and have a lot of things to deal with which are confidential, meaning I can't do it from home."

A spokeswoman for Barratt said: "Barratt is working with the factor LPM to resolve the situation at Slateford Gait and expect the lift to be fully operational in the next day or so."