MORE than a year after it collapsed, the wall at Westgate Gardens Council flats has still not been fixed and now, according to ward councillor Martin Meyer, there are fears that it poses a serious danger to residents.
The wall came tumbling down after heavy rains caused flash floods in July last year. Of concern to Meyer is one of the large cement blocks that had been left lodged underneath the sand had fallen onto the walkway next to the flats in a recent storm.
“I am worried that this wall and sand could collapse further down the embankment. With the rainy season on its way I am concerned it will come tumbling down on top of a person or a child,” he said.
Meyer said the issue of the repairs to the wall was brought up at a public meeting with residents in December, however the city’s Housing division had declared no funds were available for repairs.
“I can’t understand how there has never been an insurance claim for this, and that it has still not been fixed more than a year later. I have contacted Housing but received no response. I can’t believe there are no funds to fix this. These are old buildings and if the embankment falls onto these flats, which are around 80 years old, it’s going to cause trouble. There are loose concrete blocks and bricks underneath the sand. With heavy rain, these will be dislodged,” he said.
“It’s not about the aesthetics of the property, it is about the safety of residents. With the recent increase in rentals of 15 per cent, they shouldn’t have to live under these conditions,” he said.
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