Shaking apartment building 'a complete nightmare' for resident living near bus depot
Greig Sanderson, who suffers from chronic fatigue, said the loud noises and shaking are “basically torture”
A man diagnosed with chronic fatigue has faced restless nights for over two and a half years after being kept awake by banging noises and a shaking apartment.
Greig Sanderson, who lives on Annandale Street near the Lothian Buses central depot, blames the issues on the street’s potholes which he claims cause the building to vibrate when driven over by the buses, lorries and emergency service vehicles that regularly use the road.
The shaking and “loud bangs” from the hundreds of vehicles passing over the potholes happen at all times of the day, according to Mr Sanderson, which he describes as “a complete nightmare”.
Cracks which have recently appeared in the walls of his building, he claimed, are symptoms of the shaking.
He added: “It’s basically torture.
“I need to sleep for health and I’ve not been able to for two years and nine months and it affects me more because of my chronic fatigue because you’re supposed to rest and it’s not been possible for such a long time.”
Those suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome find daily activities difficult due to feeling extremely tired all the time and can have sleep problems including feeling like they have not slept properly.
The City of Edinburgh Council have repeatedly filled in the street’s deep cracks but Mr Sanderson, who has lived on the road for a decade, said their attempts to fix the problem are “silly quick fixes”.
Instead, he said a more long-term solution is needed, which could mean digging up a whole section of the busy street.
Nearby East London Street has faced similar noise problems due to the sounds of vehicles passing over its cobbles.
The council proposed earlier this year that revenue from the newly introduced visitor levy could help accelerate East London Street’s renewal, which was not expected to take place until 2030/31.
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: “The Council inspects the roads and pavements on Annandale Street, and across the city, on a regular basis. Any defects that are identified are repaired within the established timelines, as per our published policy.
“Any residents who have concerns about specific roads and pavements can report this on our website.”