Drain on her time

Years of clearing a mud tank near her home after floods has become too much for Patricia Lainchbury and the 80-year-old Woodhaugh woman (pictured) wants action.

"Would you expect your mother to arm herself with a bucket and a spade to clean out a mud tank?" she asked the committee when she turned up yesterday armed with those very implements.

Mrs Lainchbury told the committee an outlet pipe in McGlashan St, Woodhaugh, that took water to the Water of Leith, had been built in the 1950s and was now too small. The "ruddy mud tank" was frequently blocked and water flooded her front section.

Whenever it rained, she had to get out with her bucket and spade to clear "debris and gunk" that settled on the grating.

Mayor Peter Chin promised Mrs Lainchbury work would be done to alleviate the immediate problem, and a report prepared on a long-term solution.