Vulnerable tenants left hanging on telephone

Elderly council tenants in a new £2.5m social housing 
site at Chryston have had no telephone line since they moved in two months ago.

Many of the tenants in the council flats and bungalows at Lanrig Road are disabled and have personal medical alarms which need a link to a phone line to work.

Edward Raeburn (67) who cares for his wife Davina said: “My wife had a stroke and she needs this alert system. A number of my neighbours also rely on them to call for help if they have an accident or fall ill.

“If you are elderly and live on your own they are vital.”

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He added: “I believe the problem is down to a cable which has not been put in. I have not had a phone since I moved in on February 16.

Independent Councillor Frances McGlinchey said this week: “Being without a phone line when you have to rely on medical alert pendants is very worrying for the tenants and their families,

“Some of the tenants have had to resort to a ruggedised wireless system but this is not sufficient. Many elderly people are not keen to use a mobile phone and sometime there can be a problem with the signal.”

Councillor McGlinchey has also expressed concern inadequate drainage facilities at the new site have put neighbouring homes at risk of flooding.

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A BT spokeswoman said it would be at least another three weeks before the problem was solved.

She said: “We’re sorry for the delay for some residents. We have 14 orders outstanding, some received last month and some this month.

“This has proved a complex job involving excavations and the laying of new ducting and underground cabling.

“Initially, it looked as if temporary traffic lights would be needed.

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“Subject to no unexpected delays, the work should be complete within three weeks if not sooner.”

A council spokesperson said: “This requirement was raised with BT last August and we are disappointed this still hasn’t been resolved.

“We share out tenant’s frustration that this matter is still outstanding and have acted to ensure an interim mobile emergency alert system is in place for our elderly residents.

“Through our contractor, we have been in regular contact with BT to try and get them to fix this issue as quickly as possible.”

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