By ADAM LAZZARI A COUPLE claim sewage works are destroying the dream house they have spent the last 10 years building. Michal and Linda Briggs say every time heavy vehicles drive past their Main Street, Welney home the building vibrates and is starting to

By ADAM LAZZARI

A COUPLE claim sewage works are destroying the dream house they have spent the last 10 years building.

Michal and Linda Briggs say every time heavy vehicles drive past their Main Street, Welney home the building vibrates and is starting to crack.

They say the works, which were completed in February, are affecting 10 properties on the street and may take Anglian Water and civil engineering contractors Barhale Construction to court.

The couple, who had their house valued at �500,000 a few years ago, are collecting signatures from their neighbours to act on their behalf.

Mr Briggs, 64, said: "Historically there has been a problem in this area with buildings being unstable so we employed two structural engineers and went to great pains to make the house secure.

"We never experienced vibration problems before this work started but now cracks are appearing all over the house and they are getting bigger.

"An expert has told us if this carries on over a number of years our roof will cave in.

"This house has been a huge personal investment from both of us - it nearly killed us.

"This house is our pension, without it we have nothing."

The couple are getting advice from a professor in the engineering department at Cambridge University.

Mrs Briggs, 54, said: "I've been asking Anglian Water for detailed plans, to scale that are timed and dated.

"They eventually sent us out of date plans, not drawn to scale, and they have consistently denied there is a problem.

"Our expert needs these plans to prove that a measurable amount of damage is being caused by the sewage works.

"We then want them to restore things to how they were.

"We run our own business and don't need this stress. They may think we will give up to avoid a costly court case, but we will take it all the way."

A spokesman for Anglian Water and their contractors Barhale Construction said:

"Anglian Water has complied with all necessary regulations and Norfolk County Council Highways Agency has approved the subsequent road reinstatements.

"Mrs Briggs' claims have been referred onto our insurers to conduct a full investigation.

"We have supplied Mrs Briggs with a plan of the sewer which was laid in her street and at her request full plans of the whole new sewerage scheme are being sent.