Thank you all for your concern but in the main you are incorrect on a number of points. I have explained these below for the benefit of others who may find themselves in the same position in the future, but I do appreciate you all thinking of ways to alleviate my situation. So thank you again.
No compensation can be payable - I have had no actual loss financially, nor any physical or mental hurt or real anguish. Just some inconvenience and I don't think that can be compensated for. Especially since there is no actual blame. There is case law in place which I have examined (I am a retired accountant and have had some legal training over the years), but Valr may correct me if she sees this.
Lack of water and drainage won't make me ill.
The house was built after the original line was installed, but before the recent reopening, the railway bridge has been there since before any houses were built on either side because it was a farm, the same applies to the bypass, it cut through the farm lands.
No-one could have foreseen the extreme low temperatures we are having just now - the pipes and the whole building comply with the building standards. No house in Scotland can be built and occupied without doing so. I know because I have built a house. (So I am not just a silly old female pensioner!
) I project managed the build of my last house myself, and actually physically put the drains in myself with the help of the digger and driver, and my Building Inspector!
A temporary habitation certificate can be granted so that an owner may live in a house before completion but it is extremely rigorously controlled and mortgages are available prior to completion certificates being granted. However, this does not apply since my home is 20 years old. There were no previous water supply issues, although there were drainage ones but not freezing pipes. Both water and drainage freezing are as a result of the cold weather. The drainage system does NOT involve a soakaway, it is pumped to teh main drain and I ahve recently installed a brand new submersible.
I know the builder who built my current house and have discussed ALL the problems he had to overcome, AND how he dealt with them. There were no cost cutting exercises involved. It is no-one's fault except God if there is such a thing, but that's another issue I have contention with!
However, the drainage pipes go up a steep bank to the mains and the soil may have eroded so we may be able to sort that. He and my son-in-law both suggested inserting heating worms, so that is another possibility to investigate.
Scottish Water sent an engineer out yesterday, he checked the pressure at the other side of the bridge and it is 4 bar (enough for a 20 foot spout of water I think), so teh burst main in the village is no longer affecting us down here, whether it is fixed or not. They have packed it to keep the pressure high.
So don't worry everyone, I'll be fine when teh sun starts to shine!
So as you can see, I have all the facts - but that doesn't stop me from wanting to have a rant about it, and all I need do is be patient and wait for warmer weather.
Patience is not really part of my make up I'm afraid
