The so-called 'temporary' fencing around the construction site down the Strand end of Ferguson Street fell into the excavation itself during the storm. I always thought that it was far too close to the edge of the footpath myself and was very careful about standing back a bit whenever I wanted to peer into the pit. It's been a big hit with the young, that hole in the ground. I know of several toddlers who love to watch the machines there. Now we know it was more good luck than good management that someone didn't take a header. Perhaps our council should insist that developers who want to dig bloody great holes right up to the footpath should pay for the solid sort of fencing that you see at city construction sites, instead of putting our lives at risk.
There's another mini quarry up on the other side of Ferguson next to the Estate Agents. Once again we've got the same crappy fencing, some of which fell down on at least one occasion. That site is even more of a disgrace in some ways because there has been no activity there since...sorry, it's been so long, I can't remember. If nothing is going to be built in the next decade or so, perhaps our council officers might like to suggest that the owners fill the hole in so that it doesn't become a reservoir full of stagnant water after rain. Are there some rules about how long you can have something 'under construction' for?