A Perth community is in turmoil over a “precarious” building, according to a local shop owner.
Elena Costella, who runs her Yarn and Fibre Studio on Main Street, Bridgend, has told The Courier she feels the community is being seriously “affected both physically and emotionally” by the issue.
A damaged supporting wall and gable at the back of Ms Costella’s shop came to light in December and led to Perth and Kinross Council evicting tenants from flats in the block at East Bridge Street in July.
Demolition was initially deemed the only option by the council following an inspection by structural engineers, but Ms Costella claims there is “growing anxiety” over the “lack of action” to make the building safe.
East Bridge Street has been closed off to traffic but Ms Costella last night claimed the issue regarding possible demolition of the flats needs to be addressed immediately.
“The Bridgend community is seriously being affected both physically and emotionally with this long-standing issue,” she said.
“The building is obviously very precarious and has been since December 2012, posing a real threat to neighbouring properties. Neighbours have been evicted, roads have been closed and postal services are affected.”
She continued: “I feel sick with anxiety as I don’t know if I am going to come through to find a collapsed building at the rear of my premises. Every time a lorry rumbles by, I feel tense with worry that this will be the final straw and the vibration will set off a catastrophic collapse.”
“Given that the property owners and the council have had 10 months to resolve the situation at East Bridge Street, any further delay in making the building safe, or undertaking permanent repairs, is unacceptable.
“It is incredible that the tenants are entering the building and removing goods, as they are doing, yet I can’t take stock from my own back shop.
“Perth and Kinross Council’s handling of the whole situation has been nothing more than a badly-organised circus. Ten months on and the fiasco is still continuing.”
Stuart Glencorse, a Bridgend resident, said: “When the wall first collapsed in the early hours of December 22, it was obvious the collapse was serious and a significant threat to the building it supports.
“Nearly 11 months later I am shocked the situation has been allowed to remain unresolved.
“Both my neighbours and I have become increasingly anxious over the state of the building and the lack of action to make the building safe. As it currently stands, it poses a real and significant threat to neighbouring properties.
“I strongly feel the whole situation could have been avoided had the local authority taken a more proactive attitude from the outset. Prompt action may have saved the building and avoided the unnecessary distress and anxiety to both the owners of the building and those of neighbouring properties.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “The safety of the public is our utmost concern, and the council is seeking to bring this issue to a speedy conclusion. We are currently in the process of putting a demolition contract in place, which should be finalised this week.
“The residents have been afforded the opportunity to come up with and agree to implement an alternative solution.
“If we have no proposal from the owners by the time we appoint a contractor, the council will move quickly to begin demolition work on the building in order to ensure public safety.”