Concerns over ‘hazardous’ flood ponds as project set to come in £700k over budget

When they were being built last year, concerns were voiced that children could be drawn to the open areas of standing water after a football was spotted floating in one of the ponds. 

The water storage pond work has since been largely completed, with fencing and locked gates put in place - but South Kintyre’s councillors are among those calling for more secure enclosures.

Councillors John Armour, Tommy Macpherson and Jennifer Kelly this week met with contractors and council officials to discuss the project and were told new fencing is to be installed.

Councillor Armour said: “I have raised the inadequacy of the fencing around the ponds since they were erected.

“The fences need to be secure so as not to allow anyone to crawl through the wires and I have previously suggested a chain link fence should have been in place rather than single wires. 

“After discussions, I am pleased there now seems to be a change of heart on this and it looks like more secure fencing will replace what’s there.”

Councillor Macpherson added: “Education and engagement with younger Campbeltonians on the hazards and potential risks will play an important part on forming a consensus on fencing, its design and height or not.”

Meanwhile Councillor Kelly says she is pleased “common sense has finally prevailed”.

She added: “The current fencing around the water retention basins at Meadows is completely inadequate and allows open access to the basins which poses a drowning hazard.

“Main contractor Aecom provided a risk assessment which deemed the water basins low risk and advised it plans to carry out talks with the school children regarding safety. 

“The basins have been sited at a playing field, beside a sports pavilion, skate park and play park, in the vicinity of two schools and nurseries and border a residential housing scheme and sheltered housing accommodation block. 

“We have been told similar basins exist in other authority areas with the same extremely basic fencing as has been installed at Meadows, however, I do not represent those areas. I represent South Kintyre and the safety of my constituents is my top priority. 

“I have stressed I do not agree with Aecom’s risk assessment and noted that if the contractor deems it necessary to speak with local children about the safety of these basins, that surely contradicts its own risk assessment.”

She added: “Following a walk round the scheme on Monday, and discussion surrounding the basins, we have now been assured by a council officer that the council will install suitable secure fencing that the community is happy with.”

An Argyll and Bute spokesperson says they are treating the points raised as a matter of urgency.

They added: “We take safety extremely seriously. The detention basins are designed to manage and reduce risk and be substantially dry unless during extreme rainfall events. Our consultant undertook a public safety risk assessment (PRSA) which recommended installing signs. We also instructed our consultants to install fencing around the ponds, although this was not a requirement of the PSRA.

“Plans are in place for an event that will inspire school pupils to think about studying STEM subjects and careers. Our principal contractor will introduce the project and discuss all aspects of site work and safety.”

It has also been revealed that the project, which was initially estimated to cost £15.215 million, is forecast to end up being £710,000 over budget.

The council spokesperson added: “Overspends are not unusual in a project as large and as complex as this. The scheme has progressed well and we are working to ensure the costs are kept as low as possible. We will only know the final total when it is completed in the spring.”