AN angry Greenock family have hit out over a new heating system which has left their 83-year-old dad without water for more than a fortnight.

Katie Harper and her relatives are furious that they will be left to pick up the tab for repairs to burst water pipes at the Prospecthill Street home of their frail dad Lachie Given.

Hundreds of homes in Broomhill are being made more environmentally friendly as part of a £9 million regeneration project, which includes a district heating system.

The system is being installed in a joint project between Scottish Gas, housing association River Clyde Homes and Inverclyde Council.

But Mrs Harper, pictured, says the current pipes in her father’s flat — which are almost 50 years old — couldn’t cope with the new set-up.

She says this caused pipes in his specially-adapted wetroom to burst, flooding the property below.

It has also left the OAP without water for a fortnight.

Mrs Harper said: “The pipes are 46 years old and they didn’t test them to see if they could handle the new heating system.

“My dad has had no water for a couple of weeks — it had to be shut off because it was flooding downstairs and it’s not fair on the person who lives there.

“They’re saying ‘it’s your house, a bought house, you have to get on with it’.

“They said we accepted a free heating system, but it’s the principle of it.

“We had to take the heating — we had no option.

“They are totally missing their duty of care and I feel we have been misled.

“It’s disgusting.”

The family also say that contractors left behind copper piping exposed following the removal of the old boiler.

They have complained to gas bosses and the housing association, to no avail.
Mrs Harper said: “It’s like banging your head against the wall.”

Senior citizen Mr Given has lived in the property for 25 years, renting before buying it outright.

His son Harry says other properties in Broomhill have had the same problem.

He said: “We had no information before this happened about the effect it could have on the pipes.

“There was a big increase in water pressure and now they are saying it’s our responsibility to fix it.

“They shouldn’t be walking away and leaving it like this.

“They forced it on people, because they said the old system was being switched off.”

The Tele contacted both Scottish Gas and River Clyde Homes about the situation.

Catrin Millar of Scottish Gas, said: “I am very sorry that Mr Given is having problems with the water supply at his home. We are visiting him and already working with River Clyde Homes to put right the situation as a priority.”

No comment was available from River Clyde Homes.