Aviemore Primary School closed again because of sewerage problem

Aviemore Primary School pupils is closed for a second successive day because of sewearge problems.

The decision was taking yesterday (Wednesday) evening to keep the classrooms shut whilst work goes on to try and resolve the problem.

The school had been closed on Wednesday for the first time as Scottish Water try to rectify the problem made tougher by the continuing heavy rain.

Pupils had to brave the cold after foul smelling sewage stank the building out on Monday.

The youngsters were told to keep their jackets on all day on Monday as classroom windows had to be kept open despite the cold temperature to allow the stench to escape.

One parent said: "There was a really bad smell but the kids were told to get their coats on and the windows were opened, not exactly ideal when the temperature outside was so cold."

He added: "The new school can’t open soon enough, Highland Council has never really got to grips with this problem."

A council spokeswoman said earlier this week: "There were again issues with the drains and a smell in the main corridor.

"Scottish Water were contacted and attended. Scottish Water and Highland Council’s environmental health officers gave assurances that there was no issue with airborne infection."

She added: "Staff and pupils continued operating as normal, but wore jackets in class while the windows were open to allow ventilation to clear the smell."

The problem of blocked drains has plagued the school for years. In 2009 the school had to be closed twice because sewage had seeped onto the playground.

Pupils had to be sent home before the school even opened after one leakage, causing childcare problems for working parents.

Although the immediate problem was resolved by Scottish Water engineers, they failed to identify exactly what had been causing the leaks.

Highland councillors held a site meeting with Scottish Water officials to try to resolve the problem.

The leakage followed a similar incident in February that year when solid sewage overflowed onto the playing field at the school following a thaw after a spell of particularly cold weather.

The foundations of the existing school built in the 1960s had to be underpinned shortly after it opened as it was built on top of a bog. Settling caused by this soft ground has meant that the walls of many classrooms are covered in cracks and windows leak.

The new Aviemore Primary School at Muirton, which cost £11.5 million to build, is due to be handed over to Highland Council on July 9 and open in time for the new academic term in mid-August.

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