Council inaction leaves Baberton residents feeling abandoned - Sue Webber

Lothian Conservative MSP Sue Webber at the site of the Baberton Mains Avenue gas explosion

A report to Tuesday’s council Policy and Sustainability committee detailed how some residents were allowed back on February 16. Access was granted to insurance assessors, and so too were trams officials able to investigate to see if the nearby line construction was responsible, which remains the most likely cause. By February 28 the remaining residents returned.

There will no doubt be a fight over insurance claims, but at least the people are home and relative normality has returned, but their experience stands in stark contrast to the people of Baberton Mains Avenue, where one house was destroyed, others severely damaged and an elderly man was killed in a gas explosion seven weeks earlier on December 1.

Obviously, the circumstances are different, but compare the speed of building standards officers to resolve the situation at Anchorfield with the lack of much urgency to help people in Baberton who have been left in limbo, either still in rented accommodation or looking out on an untouched blast site.

I would not like to think the involvement of the tram company was a factor in addressing the Anchorfield situation, but it’s very hard to understand the lack of real action in Baberton, a tragedy which still has repercussions across the community.

When I contacted the council in March, I was told building control would be issuing Dangerous Buildings Notices, but precious little has been done, apart from reaching an agreement with insurers to share information. And that’s it.

Nothing can happen without the notices to detail what’s needed to make the buildings and surrounding area safe, so what exactly is the delay? Why is this not a priority like Anchorfield? Surely not because there isn’t a threat to the council’s billion-pound tram line?

Edinburgh City Council has a leadership role to play and cannot simply wash its hands because the houses are privately owned, or because the investigation focusses on the gas supply rather than its own arms-length company.

People feel abandoned, and when I spoke to residents last week it is clear they expect the local authority to do more to help. One even accused council workers of adding to the damage. They are receiving a poor service, have significantly reduced amenity, yet are expected to keep paying full council tax. I would have thought a rebate was in order.

When building work was caried out on the City Chambers there was a big wrap around the scaffolding so the place still looked presentable. Could screens of some sort not be erected so residents are not faced with a scene of devastation every day, or aren’t there enough tourists?

Several have fitted blinds so it’s not what they see each time they pass a window. People can’t get access to their belongings, including cars, but above all else no-one is telling them what’s going on, so they are completely in the dark with their lives on hold.

Anchorfield residents will feel they still have a mountain to climb to get peace of mind, but the people of Baberton Mains Avenue aren’t even at base camp.

Sue Webber is a Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP