Council botched Job

Bowes100

Not quite a home issue, however the local council have decided to create a public right of way along our boundary fence, which we dont have an issue with.

As part of the works it was agreed the council would supply a new close boarded fence. At the time we raised concerns as our land is a good 2foot higher than the level of the new bridleway. The path will run along our sand and rubber riding arena. The council said they would do some revetment works to retain our land and riding surface which we will rather weighty!

We were told they would use purspex to retain the land, however this has not happened, nor did I think it would work anyway. From what I can see all they have done is put some fencing panels horizontal to the same height of our land and then continued the fencing as normal on top, with 'natural' stone on our side to allow drainage (I beleive they think this will stop the wood rotting?!)

further along our boundary they told us there wasnt enough money in the budget to continue with new fencing and they would be using our fencing. When they have commenced the path works on the otherside, they have dug away all the land along the boundary. We got some high winds just before Christmas which took our fencing down, which includes concrete posts and the cement still attached to the bottom of the posts. It seams pretty clear that there was basically no soil to hold the concrete and posts at all. This fence has been up without any issues for over 10 years.

The issue we have is now what happens? Do we hold the council responsble and push for a full new fence? I have spent the last few days trying to get the council to come out and we are basically being fobed off. The fencing works (approx 150 meters) have been going on since October and is still no where near finished.

I'm not convienced in the slightest that the works they have carried out is sufficent to retain any land, how can we go about making sure the works are correct?

Thanks

littlerock

Contact your local councillor to raise concerns and hire a surveyor to look at the work and make a report for you. Will cost initially but you can be sure the council will say it is OK it is up to you to prove them wrong.

Bowes100

Will do thank you

Bowes100

spoken with the MP now, still no fencing done although the council promised to secure. They still have not done it. THey have agreed that the fencing provided so far is not sufficent to retain the land and have gone back to 'calculate' the weight and fencing required. I suspect its going to be a very very long progress...