Don't know if anyone else has picked this up

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2324953/End-line-model-railway-fan-housing-association-demands-dismantle-10-000-train-set-attic-health-safety-grounds.html

Hi all,
What a silly story, BUT! The housing authority are right. Correct me if I read it wrong but he wanted them to fix a leaky chimney so they want it moved so they can fix it so it is his issue. If he removed structural beams then what if any engineering report did he get to ok the changes he made.
I'm sure it is the same in the uk as here but if you want to do building work on your home don't you have to go through council to have it approved etc. he was happy to install heating at his cost so sounds like he is happy not to be bothered by his housing agreements etc.
As I said still silly can't see why they just could not say "sure we will fix but if any damage happens by accident while repairs are happening we are not responsible"
Bart

I have sympathies after all the time and effort that has been put into the layout but the remedy is easy -- don't rely upon authority housing, just buy your own property, Simples!
Alan B

Quote from: trainsdownunder on May 17, 2013, 02:11:07 AM
Don't know if anyone else has picked this up

Probably not.

There's a clue here. The words "dailymail".

Alan

What a bonkers story. This will inevitably involve a messy legal battle at tax payer expense. If a common sense approach was used by the council, then i would expect this would not have made the news or result in more wasted tax payers dosh.

Quote from: OwL on May 17, 2013, 10:04:21 AM
What a bonkers story. This will inevitably involve a messy legal battle at tax payer expense.

You are assuming the 'press' coverage is remotely complete or accurate. It's not been covered in the real press at all.

Quote from: EtchedPixels on May 17, 2013, 10:28:51 AM

Quote from: OwL on May 17, 2013, 10:04:21 AM
What a bonkers story. This will inevitably involve a messy legal battle at tax payer expense.

You are assuming the 'press' coverage is remotely complete or accurate. It's not been covered in the real press at all.

It has made it this far as a news story.......Lets just hope for our dwindling finances and future tax increases that it does not make it to the high court!

OK, looking a little more into this ...

It appears that :

• The Housing Association (HA) previously certified the electrics
• The HA previously certified the roof space (he hasn't removed anything)
• The problem relates to the flashing on the chimney - which is outside the house !

Daily Fail strikes again ...

Hello all,

As I read it there was a leak in the lead flashing on the chimney which may have soaked the roof beams.  The   Housing Assoc need to check the beams (as per their responsibilities) but the householder has put down floorboards.  These need to be lifted to facilitate the check - and that's impossible without removing part of the layout.

I think it's a shame and I certainly feel sorry for the builder but in the final analysis it's just a trainset; it would be worse if the roof beams weren't checked, did rot and then caused more serious structural damage, possibly when the house is home to a new resident at some unknown point in the future.

Of course, the chances are the checks will find no damage to the wood at all and the entire exercise will have been a waste of time!

cheers

Ben A.

If his layout was in N gauge, he would have taken up less room, it would be easier to move, and the Housing Authority officials would have been amazed at the amount of detail incorporated into the locomotives and rolling stock 

Quote from: Ben A on May 17, 2013, 11:07:15 AM



it's just a trainset;

cheers

Ben A.

You tell the guy its just a train set.. I am sure he will have some choice words.

Quote from: OwL on May 17, 2013, 10:35:05 AM
It has made it this far as a news story.....

Hardly - it's merely been in the Daily Mail.

http://www.8ball.co.uk/not-a-daily-mail-reader-t-shirt

Alan

Looking at the photos, TBH it doesn't look like much effort to take the track up and move the layout out of the way while the housing association sort the loft. He's not got a huge amount of scenery down and most of the track is on bare board, so probably wouldn't be damaged if he took it apart.

Looks more of a case of the Daily Wail using it as an excuse for a moan