Bungling road workers told to rip up repairs and start again

Workers cordoned off a stretch of Murrayburn Road to one lane for two weeks shortly before Christmas, to patch up potholes.

But as soon as it was opened again, drivers complained the road was more uneven than ever. The problem got worse when the area was hit by heavy rain and pools of water collected in the dips.

The workers have now been ordered to carry out the work again at a cost of thousands of pounds to council tax payers

Taxi driver Keith Bell, who is acting secretary of the Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead Community Council, complained to the city council.

"I want the council to tell me why such poor workmanship was allowed," he said. "The pitch and camber of the surface is such that puddles gather when it rains.

"This now requires the surface to be ripped up and re-laid. Why were new road markings painted on to the carriageway afterwards, compounding the waste of money?

"Who was responsible for supervising this work and who failed to ensure that is was carried out to, at the very least, a basic standard of competency?

"The road was left uneven rather than flattened out. In some areas it actually drops below the level of the drains and the water collects there because the surface has not been made flat."

Ron Cairns, the community council's chairman, added: "It's the usual shambles we get with this council. It's a total waste of money.

"They squander money left, right and centre. They don't get value for one pound."

An investigation by the council found the work done on the road was sub-standard.

The authority has now ordered the surface to be ripped up and made good all over again.

Councillor Bob Cairns, the city's environment and streetscape leader, said: "I very much regret that this work wasn't carried out properly.

"Appropriate action has been taken, and repairs will be made as soon as possible, which we expect will be to an excellent standard.

"We've surveyed residents about local roads which we've repaired, and over 90 per cent are satisfied. Our remit is to make this 100 per cent."

Dave Henderson, senior works officer at the Services for Communities Road Services, said in an e-mail seen by the Evening News: "I have had a look at the above scheme with our surfacing supervisor after heavy rain, and have noticed three areas where there is ponding to the carriageway.

"This is totally unacceptable as Mr Bell has indicated, and will have to be planed out and resurfaced when a suitable date appears on our programme.

"The estimate to repair this work is 2800."

Councillor Brian Fallon, who represents the Murrayburn area, praised the council for admitting a mistake had been made and promising to put it right.

He said: "I'm surprised to learn that this has been done in such a way as to cause a problem. But I'm pleased that the department is now going to rectify it.

"We don't want to have flooding on the roads if we can help it because it adds to the dangers facing motorists and pedestrians."