Our Redrow newbuild homes are RUINED after ‘dodgy’ sewer pipes unleash foul smells – it’s been going on for YEARS
RESIDENTS have slammed builders Redrow saying their newbuild homes are ruined after “dodgy” sewer pipes have been unleashing a foul stench for years.
New homeowners on the estate in Dawlish, Devon, say the company finally promised to start fixing the problem two months ago.
Since then the only sign of activity has been a 24ft deep pit surrounded by barriers - forcing cars and lorries to drive on pavements.
Business consultant Alison Jenkins, 55, who lives alongside the pit, said: “Redrow laid sewage pipes below the water table.
“The sand around them shifted and that’s caused leaks. I’ve even had a gas leak outside my front door.
“Our local water company, South West Water, won’t adopt the pipes until this gets sorted and that’s understandable.
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“Why should they be left with a problem caused by the builders.”
Mrs Jenkins added: “In fairness, there are some serial complainers around here.
“The road needs to be properly closed to get the work done. But they don’t want the road closed either.”
However, visiting carer Mike Whiting, 65, said: “It’s diabolical.
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“My Uncle Terry is 85 and relies on his mobility scooter. He can’t get past that huge hole safely.
“Redrow have been saying for so long that they’ll get the pipes fixed.
“But this is the hole that time forgot.”
Residents believe The Copse estate, where typical three-bed homes sold for £359,000 five years ago, faces months of disruption.
One, who asked not to be identified, said: “It’s like a circular firing squad.
“Redrow, their contractors and the water company all seem to blame each other.
“There are now blue marks all over the roads where contractors are going to dig even more massive holes.
It's diabolical
Mike Whiting
“We understand there are going to be eleven more before this is over.’
Carole Cowell said: “Right from the start we’ve had a misinformation campaign from Redrow.
“They have not been honest.
“We were told a pumping station was for drainage. In fact it was a sewage pump and one that doesn’t work well.
“It’s not unusual for us to smell human excrement when we walk out of our front door.”
Liz Cooney said gardens had been flooded with murky water from the sewage plant.
“It has been awful for people, she said.
“Most of us feel that once Redrow sold these houses, and there was no more money to be made, they ignored the problem.”
Retired water company manager Andrew Jones, 72, agreed: “If Redrow were still selling homes here this would all be quickly fixed," he said.
'MOSTLY NOTHING HAPPENS'
“We get letters supposedly keeping us informed but mostly nothing happens.
“We never get a name. No one from Redrow has the spine to sign them.”
Householder Graham Ginger, a retired construction project manager, said Redrow had a duty of care to everyone who bought their homes.
“Their biggest problem has been lack of communication,” he said.
“I’m disappointed that it is taking so long for them to deal with this. But I’m not going to get stressed.
“They’re a big company and they will fix it.”
A spokeswoman for Redrow said: “We’d like to once again apologise to residents for any inconvenience and disruption caused by the drainage remedial works being carried out at Dawlish.
“We’ve met with the contractor and South West Water to discuss the way forward after the initial investigations. The contractor will be back on site week commencing June 6 to carry out the essential works.
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“The safety of our residents is of paramount importance and risk assessments have been carried out ensuring emergency services are able to access the development.
“We will continue to communicate both individually and collectively with the residents throughout the works.”
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