Our flats are not fit to live in (From Swindon Advertiser)

Our flats are not fit to live in

11:00am Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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PENHILL tenants fear that leaking pipes and asbestos in their flats is making them sick.

They say their homes in Upavon Court stink of damp, that waste water is leaking into their bathrooms, and that there is asbestos in their walls and ceilings.

But Swindon Council says there is no risk to health.

It comes after the council closed the Wyvern Theatre for a year amid fears of public safety after asbestos was found in the auditorium's roof.

Paul Dudley was the first to complain about the problems - back in December.

Despite repeatedly contacting the council, he has received one email and a five-minute visit from an engineer, who did nothing.

He said: "The paint is actually stripping off the walls by itself - it's that bad.

"My bathroom ceiling is about to collapse - there are holes in the ceiling and the walls, while every day I'm sweeping up paint and plaster that's just peeling off.

"There's asbestos behind a thin panel in the bathroom, where the fire guard hasn't been refitted.

"I feel ill constantly and I'm sure it's a result of this. I'm embarrassed to invite people round here and to be honest I just don't want to live here anymore.

"I think it's awful - if we fall behind on our rent the council are fast enough getting on to us, but when it's something like this they're nowhere to be seen.

"This is affecting people's health - it's not right."

Alex Smith and his wife Jackie contacted the council in May but when an engineer came round to tackle the problem all he did was add a valve to the ball cock in their toilet.

Alex said: "It's obviously a big problem. I'm sick of it - we've both got headaches and sore throats and when it gets warm the smell of it is just horrible."

Kevin Hynd said he worries about bringing his two daughters to his flat because of the affect on their health.

He said: "I've been really ill the last few day, I've been vomiting and feeling terrible. I'm sure it's connected. My eldest daughter has got asthma and this can't help it.

"You can feel the damp all over the house and especially in the bathroom."

Tina Wynn is also worried about the health of her two young children.

She said: "My five-year-old has really suffered - he's coughing all the time. The doctor said he couldn't prove it was because of the problems in the flat, but the fact that it was damp couldn't be doing him any good.

"I've been on to the council loads of times and they eventually came out a few weeks ago to do some work on the pipes. But they said there's still asbestos in the ceiling, which really worries me."

Coun David Glaholm (Ind, Penhill) said: "This is extremely distressing for the residents concerned and I hope the council will be able to resolve the issue without having to potentially move 41 families out of the flats while work is being done."

A spokeswoman for Swindon Council said: "We apologise to tenants at Upavon Court who have experienced the effects of a leak, which we understand to be from a waste water pipe. "This pipe carries used water from sinks, baths or washing machines - it is not sewage and while we appreciate that this is unpleasant, it does not present a serious health hazard. "We realise the situation is unacceptable and the problem will be rectified within the next few days. "The presence of asbestos is a separate issue and not uncommon in buildings of this age. Providing the asbestos is not disturbed, there is no risk to public health or safety. All our contractors who carry out maintenance work are qualified to deal with this material, according to government regulations. "However, it is clear that tenants are concerned and we will be contacting them individually to answer their questions. "We are sorry that tenants are feeling unwell, but they can be reassured that the symptoms are not associated with exposure to asbestos."

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