An investigation has been launched after a gas network firm claimed council contractors drilled a borehole close to a main pipeline in Dumbarton.
Balfour Beatty, which carried out the works on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council, said it is looking into the claims made, with a full probe underway.
Gas network company SGN told the Lennox Herald the hole had been drilled in “close proximity” to their gas main.
The hole was drilled in August on private land at Glenpath in Dumbarton, which the local authority says was part of ground investigation works for the Gruggies Burn Flood Prevention Scheme.
However, the landowner, who allowed access to the land after being contacted by the council, raised concerns and alerted SGN, who sent out an engineer to have a look.
Waseem Hanif, spokesperson for gas distribution company SGN said: “We were shown the borehole which is in close proximity to our pipeline.
“For safety, we marked out the location of the gas main.
“We then immediately contacted the contractor who carried out the work, to arrange a meeting on site to share best practice and provide safety advice.”
A Balfour Beatty spokesperson said: “We take all matters of health and safety extremely seriously. As a responsible contractor, we are looking into these claims with a full investigation underway.”
Last year, the council approved a contract to be handed to Balfour Beatty to carry out the £15m flood prevention scheme subject to final costs.
Plans at the time included the construction of defences in Dumbarton East and downstream of Castlegreen Street to address coastal flooding, as well as the potential for a bypass culvert from East End Park to the River Clyde.
Completion of the works is set to end years of misery for residents in Silverton and Overtoun who have been severely affected by flooding of the burn.
A council spokeswoman said: “This work was undertaken by a specialist contractor which assumes full responsibility for ensuring safe processes are followed at all times.
“The contractor is conducting an investigation and we await its outcome.”
