FRUSTRATED residents at a flood-hit block of flats are demanding council bosses find a permanent solution to a problem that has affected the building for two decades.

Locals at the Scotstoun building had a brief respite to the issue when Glasgow City Council staff carried out work on the street.

But the flooding has returned with a vengeance - leaving those living in the building trapped in their flats and unable to get important post and parcels.

The Glasgow Times first told of the issue on the corner of Earl Street and Redgate Place in 2018 and the council acted then following intervention from Scotstoun Community Council.

Glasgow Times: Pictured are Betty Kelly, left and Sara Hunter at right Picture: Colin Mearns

Resident Sara Hunter said: "It was not too bad for a year or so when the works were done but then this winter we ended up back to square one.

"It's now started to go down by itself, very slowly, but the flooding has been there since last Thursday."

Our pictures taken this week show the flood water receding - but at it's height it was deep for Sara's neighbour, Betty Kelly, who is 80, to walk through.

Postal workers and delivery drivers also refused to attend at the building.

Residents wear wellington boots to go out and then carry shoes with them to change into after they make it through the flood water.

They said it can be difficult at night because the water is murky and it can be difficult underfoot, making it hard for the building's youngest and oldest residents.

Glasgow Times: From left: Sara Hunter, Alvin Hadiono and Betty Kelly Picture: Colin Mearns

Sara added: "The main problem I have is I can't get anything delivered, I can't even get my post.

"My GP sent out prescriptions to the flat and I was hoping to get them last week but they have only arrived today.

"I often get short notice appointments for the hospital so if the NHS had sent out any appointments I wouldn't have received them in time.

"DPD, Hermes, none of the delivery companies can be expected to walk through that water to make a delivery, get their shoes ruined and then spent the rest of the day with wet feet.

"I can't expect a Tesco delivery person to push a trolley through all that.

"Mrs Kelly doesn't go short of supplies as she has lots of family to help her but she's a really sociable person with an active social life and she can't get out to any of the activities she enjoys."

Mrs Kelly has been living in the building for 20 years and, as she told the Glasgow Times in 2018, the issue has been occurring throughout that time.

Sara has lived in the building since 2013 and in her second year living there she was stuck inside due to the extreme flooding.

Glasgow Times: The flooding in 2018 Picture: Colin Mearns

Nearby residents lose several parking spaces along the street when the flooding is bad and so other blocks are disrupted by the issue also.

Sara added: "The rumour is that is started when the road was re-tarmacked and they tarmacked over the drain, but that's just what's been suggested.

"Somebody from the community council was quoted in the previous article as saying that what the council was planning would not be a permanent fix and that more extensive work would be required - and he has been proven right."

That quote, when the Glasgow Times covered the story in 2018, was from Richard Baynes, the then-chairman of the community council.

He had said at the time: "I believe cleaning and jetting has been done before, and it doesn't work.

Glasgow Times: The flooding in 2018 Picture: Colin Mearns

"What they need to do is get a camera down there and find out for sure what the problem is."

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said a high pressure jet had been used previously to remove a blockage in an underground carrier pipe at the location.

He said this "dealt with the issue at that time".

The spokesman added: “We will inspect the gullies in this area and clear any blockages that we find, but we will also re-examine the underground pipe to see if that has blocked again and take appropriate action.”

But Sara said: "It sounds like they are simply going to repeat what they did in 2018 so the problem will be better than it was for a while but won’t be permanently fixed.

"I’m not reassured at all by the vague 'take appropriate action' as what they might think is appropriate isn’t actually the long-lasting solution that is what the residents want."

For residents, a permanent fix and clear communication from the council are the only next steps.

Sara added: "I would like them to find out exactly what's wrong and tell us, I would like the council to talk to us.

"I know they are short staff, I know that covid has made things harder, that's fair enough if it takes a little time to get to the bottom of it but just let us know.

"Not knowing what's happening is frustrating, but then we would like it to be fixed for good this time."