AN abandoned classic car that was blocking a pipe and causing a flat to flood with raw sewage has finally been moved - thanks to the Glasgow Times.
We previously told how putrid waste was pouring into the hall and bathroom of Richard Holligan's home, but that workers were unable to remedy the issue because an abandoned Aston Martin was stopping them from getting to the outflow pipework to halt the flow.
After we highlighted Richard’s plight, the 1970s DBS model was finally removed from a garage at the property, allowing water engineers to carry out repairs.
Similar makes can fetch anywhere between £25,000 to more than £100,000 at classic car auctions, depending on the vehicle's condition.
He said: “The car was moved long enough to allow the outflow pipe to be repaired. My flat is almost redecorated and it’s all thanks to the Glasgow Times.
“If I hadn’t shared my story, I’d still be stuck in the same situation and it just goes to show the power of campaigning local journalism.
“It’s a relief to finally have the pipe repaired and I don’t have to worry about my flat flooding again in the future."
After reading the story in the Glasgow Times Richard, 47, was contacted by a neighbour who knew the whereabouts of the car’s owner.
He explained: “She got in touch after reading the piece and was able to trace the owner. Thankfully, he arranged for a truck with an automated tow rope to remove the vehicle onto the street so the repairs could be carried out.
“Once everything was fixed, the car was put back in the garage and hopefully nothing will go wrong again."
Richard previously told how the stench from the rancid human waste pouring into his home became so bad that he had to draft in professional cleaners in a bid to make it habitable.
He added: Within a couple of weeks of moving in, the bathroom became filled with raw sewage. It was absolutely disgusting. The mess was so bad my insurers sent out industrial cleaners to tackle it.
"The smell was awful, and the waste was everywhere and completely ruined the bathroom.
"The outflow pipe underneath the property was broken and needed to be repaired urgently. However, the engineers were unable to get to it because the car was effectively blocking their access.”
Richard moved into the property on Lethington Avenue in April and was looking forward to settling into his new home, but within weeks he noticed sewage spewing up from the sink, bath and then the toilet cistern.
He said: “I was really looking forward to being in Shawlands and enjoying everything about being in a new area.
“I came home from a night out and was shocked to see filthy water pouring out of my bathroom and into the hallway. The stench was unbearable, completely insufferable.
“I’m just grateful that it’s all fixed now and I can finally enjoy my flat without constant worry. I was at the point I was going to my bed at night not knowing what I would wake up to.
“I couldn’t have done it without the intervention of the Glasgow Times. I really can’t thank the paper enough for all of its help.”
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