Largs woman's sea wall anger over collapse of ceiling

Jane Wilson blames the sea wall works on the prom for the collapse of the ceiling in her lounge.

She only escaped injury because she was in her kitchen at the time, speaking to a friend, instead of sitting watching TV.

Jane is one of three residents in the town's Aubery Crescent who are now attempting to secure compensation after claiming vibrations from the flood defence works caused damage to their properties. 

But Jane says that almost a year on from the incident no-one has yet admitted responsibility.

All the affected residents live in homes in the original Victorian terraced area of the street.

The £4 million North Ayrshire Council (NAC) project to build a new sea wall, replacing one dating from the 1970s that had deteriorated over time, started last summer and was completed in May.

After the incident happened (Image: Newsquest)

The main contractor appointed on the project was Glasgow-based building contractor and civil engineer RJ McLeod Ltd. 

Jane told the News she had raised concerns with a North Ayrshire Council (NAC) liaison officer in the days before a section of ceiling measuring four feet by one foot fell down on August 12, 2023.

She said:  "The works involved digging away at the concrete stairs to the beach which were being removed.

"On the lead up to the incident there was plaster dust, and some of the ceiling coming away, and rattling of pictures on my wall.

“After it happened, I thought 'well, obviously, it will all work out', but we are now nearly a year on and we still have not had the matter resolved.

“The council were saying because it is the original ceiling and it was imperfect, too bad.

"However, I have lived here for 18 years and never experienced a problem.

The ceiling area which collapsed in Jane Wilson's property  (Image: Newsquest)

"On August 18 last year, somebody from the council and the contractors came in and offered to clear up the debris from where the ceiling had come down, but said that they were not accepting any liability.

"They are saying because the original ceiling was imperfect and had cracks in it already, it could have happened if a truck had rolled past.

"My point is I have lived here for 18 years with the exact same original ceiling, and two days after something shifts, and this then happens. I feel they are responsible. 

"They say the vibrations are being monitored and they did extensive surveys.

"I got a quote of around £13,000 to fix and restore it. 

"I called my insurers and they said it is third party damage and they said they would look into it and engage a lawyer.

"So I have a claim in, but it is still not being resolved."

Jane Wilson has been trying to get answers but feel she has been given the 'runaround' (Image: Newsquest)

Jane said she had contacted the NAC liaison team the day after the incident, but didn't hear back from them.

She continued: "On the following Monday I popped round to the site, only to be told by the council liaison officer that it was not their responsibility because my ceiling was already imperfect.

"I was furious. He was so casual about it. I could have died.

"I spoke to North Ayrshire Council's roads department, who said they had not done the piledriving at the steps, and it was not their fault. The contractors said it was not their problem and I had to deal with North Ayrshire Council's insurers.

"I got in touch with my insurance, I got a reference number, and I raised a claim through my insurers in October. They engaged a lawyer and he has been chasing this with the council’s insurers, Zurich.

“The council have taken before and after photos of the problem area after it happened.

“The council originally said that they wouldn’t be dealing with any matters until the works were finished, which was in May, but still we are no further forward and it is nearly a year since it happened.

"My lawyers tell me that Zurich are now not responding, so I have personally tried contacting them too, but to no avail.”

Jane said she had no issues with the new sea wall itself, but that having given all parties ample time to respond, she was no nearer a solution.

Her neighbours, Innes Rae, 84, and 71-year-old Richard Stokes, say they have suffered various cracks throughout their building, including in their porch, living room, kitchen and upstairs rooms.  A total of 10 of their rooms plus the hall, porch and landing have been affected by cracks.

Richard Stokes and Innes Rae at their porch in their property (Image: Newsquest)

Richard said: "We are still trying to get compensation. Our claim was submitted on October 20, and the assessor contacted us on January 8.

"We have had a loss adjustor visit too, and we have provided all the information. Pictures were taken before and afterwards by the council, but we are still no further forward with our claim

"North Ayrshire Council employed a company to carry out a dilapidation survey on the properties in Aubery Crescent before the sea wall was started.

"From these photos it is easy to see the damage caused to 10 of our rooms, plus the hall, porch and landing."

The living room of Innes Rae and Richard Stokes' property in Aubery Place. (Image: Newsquest)

And in a letter to the liability loss adjustor, dated on January 9, Mr Stokes pointed out that a plastering company he was an obtaining a quote from regarding repairs had told him that 'they are concerned that we are still living in the house as the hall ceilings can come down like our neighbours at any time.'

Another neighbour Paul Dixon, said: "I have around a dozen cracks in most of the hallway rooms.

"I wholeheartedly support Jane, and Richard and Innes. They have suffered most of the damage while most of my cracks are hairline. I am waiting for a loss adjuster from Zurich to come out and have a look.

"The problem is nobody is taking liability. We are all at different stages in the process, and we are being bounced back between the council and the insurers, and nothing has happened."

A spokesperson for RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd said that they are "not in a position to make comment".

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “Claims received by North Ayrshire Council are passed to the Councils insurer for assessment. Claims for compensation can be complex and can take significant time to investigate.

“It would be inappropriate to comment on individual claims at this time. The Council has provided all information requested to date and have prompted our insurer to update claimants as to the status of their claims.”

Zurich have also been contacted for comment.